Australia’s relationship with the Pacific region is under fire, as the Prime Minister of Samoa expresses his disappointment of a Federal Government frontbencher’s criticism of China’s Pacific aid programs.
Senator Fierravanti-Wells, the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, accused China of building “roads to nowhere” and “useless buildings” in the island region.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele said he disagreed with the criticism and argued the comments on the misspending of Chinese money were incorrect, with the funding proving crucial in his country’s efforts to combat climate change effects.