Diplomatic Dance: Liu Jianchao Meets Vanuatu PM Amid International Courting

A top Chinese Communist Party official, Liu Jianchao, held a meeting with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai. As China’s likely next foreign minister, Liu’s visit signifies Beijing’s intent to solidify ties in the Pacific region, which is also heavily courted by the United States and Australia.

A top Chinese Communist Party official, Liu Jianchao, met Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai on Monday on a visit to the Pacific Island nation that is being courted by Beijing and the United States. Liu, 60, leads the Communist Party's body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. He has been widely expected to become China's next foreign minister.

China is Vanuatu's top external creditor after a decade of infrastructure projects spanning the construction of a parliament house as well as roads and airports. Australia is a major aid donor and the United States is seeking to open an embassy there.

Liu met with Salwai on Monday morning after arriving in Vanuatu on Sunday, statements and photographs posted to social media by the Vanuatu prime minister's office showed.

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