Aiming to curb China’s influence, Australian prime minister agrees to kava imports from Pacific nations
- Vanuatu last year signed up to China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, just a few months after Australia promised to enhance its cybersecurity capability
- There are still deep differences between Australia and its smaller Pacific neighbours over issues like security and climate change
Australia will allow imports of the intoxicating drink kava, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday, as it seeks to forge closer ties with its Pacific neighbours amid growing Chinese interest in the region.
Australia and China have been vying for influence in sparsely populated Pacific island countries that control vast swathes of resource-rich ocean.
Vanuatu last year signed up to China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, just a few months after Australia promised to enhance its cybersecurity capability.
To improve cultural ties, Morrison told reporters in the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila that Australia would remove restrictions on kava, a mildly intoxicating brew that is deeply embedded in the social fabric of Pacific islanders.
“I know it has been an issue for some time, we have agreed that we would be working to … ease some of the limitations on importation of kava into Australia,” Morrison said.
Morrison – who has long campaigned on an uncompromising tough-on-crime message – said he had agreed to the new pilot programme with Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai.
We have agreed that we would … ease some of the limitations on importation of kava into Australia
“That is for personal use, I should stress,” said Morrison, vowing to “make sure that is properly managed”.