The Pacific island nation of Kiribati said on Thursday that China-backed plans to upgrade an airstrip on a remote island about 3,000km southwest of Hawaii were a non-military project designed to improve transport links and bolster tourism. The project involves revamping a near 2km (6,562ft) runway on the tiny island of Kanton (also spelled Canton), a coral atoll strategically located midway between Asia and the Americas, deep in territory that has been aligned with the U.S. and its allies since World War Two. "The Kiribati Government has clarified the rehabilitation project for Kanton Island stating that the project is purely initiated for civilian use only," the government said in a statement sent to Reuters.
PACNEWS
2 April, 2021, 4:04 pm
The western Kiribati island of Banaba is delighted that a second desalination unit is about to be brought into operation. Picture: RNZ
TARAWA, 02 APRIL 2021 (RNZI PACIFIC) – The western Kiribati island of Banaba is delighted that a second desalination unit is about to be brought into operation.
The island, which is home to about 300 people, is just emerging from months of drought, and two weeks ago sought help, after its desalination units had broken down.
The Kiribati Government responded by sending a desalination unit, bottled water and water containers.
A government chartered vessel, MV Tekinati, returned to the island Thursday to deliver a second desalination unit, for which the islanders have expressed their appreciation.
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