Pacific projects funding

Australian Minister accuses China of funding 'roads that go nowhere' in Pacific

Australian officials are increasingly worried by China's growing presence in the Pacific, and the way it is using concessional loans to bolster its influence.

They have also privately accused China of trying to win favour by funding projects which funnel money directly to leaders in the region.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells told The Australian newspaper that China was constructing "useless buildings" in the Pacific.