Latest news with #CRCC
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
‘It's not Chinese assistance': Australia accuses China of taking undue credit for aid projects in the Pacific
China is bolstering its geo-political influence in the Pacific by 'branding' Asian Development Bank projects – funded in significant part by Australian taxpayer dollars – as Chinese projects, the Australian government says. On the island of Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea to Australia's north, the state-owned China Railway Construction Corporation has begun work to strengthen the runway at Kieta-Aropa, on the outskirts of the largest city. When the government of Bougainville announced the upgrade of the airport, there was no mention of the Asian Development Bank – who is funding the project – only the state-owned China Railway Construction Corporation. And when an inauguration ceremony was held last month at the airport's runway, the president of Bougainville and the prime minister of Papua New Guinea broke the ground with a shovel wearing hardhats adorned with the name and logo of the CRCC. An ADB sign was visible in the background. Australia's minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, said the 'branding' of multilateral development projects had been a consistent frustration for the government. 'It's not Chinese assistance. A Chinese state-owned-enterprise won a contract under the Asian Development Bank … that project is funded by the ADB. 'The largest donors to the ADB are countries like Japan and Australia, which is part of my frustration … because people driving past would assume it's funded by China because you see Chinese state-owned-enterprise branding everywhere, but it's funded by the taxpayers of countries like Japan and Australia.' Conroy said he had lobbied the ADB to improve its procurement processes – 'to make sure they go for quality rather than the cheapest bid' – and to limit nationalised 'branding' of projects, reforms to which it has agreed. The ADB is a major development backer across the Pacific. Australia is the fund's second-highest contributor after Japan. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Asked if he felt China was seeking to bolster its influence through multilateral organisations like the ADB, Conroy told the Guardian: 'I think that's a reasonable conclusion. 'I'm sure they seek to make money out of these projects as well, but if they're able to brand them with a [state-owned enterprise]'s name, then there's a secondary benefit, obviously.' Conroy said the contest for influence extended beyond Bougainville, which is seeking independence from Papua New Guinea by 1 September 2027. 'We've been very clear that there's a permanent state of contest in the Pacific, that Australia is seeking to be the partner of choice for every Pacific nation and that China is seeking a role there as well.' Emma Veve, director general of the ADB's Pacific Department, said the bank was expanding across the region, with strong support from countries like Australia. 'ADB is proud of its work and committed to ensuring that project information is visible to the public during the execution of construction works and that there is a precise acknowledgment of project funding sources.' In the context of broader contestation in the Pacific, there are concerns from traditional allies over a deepening Chinese influence, particularly around security: three Pacific countries have 'flipped' their formal recognition from Taipei to Beijing since 2019 and China now has police training programs in Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu. In the US, the conservative Heritage Foundation – whose Project 2025 document has guided much of Donald Trump's agenda – argues the possibility of an independent Bougainville is a geostrategic opportunity for America. 'The US must take advantage of this opportunity, or risk ceding to Beijing a first-mover advantage in a vital corner of the Indo-Pacific, where the balance of power and influence could easily tip in China's favour.' But Bougainville's deputy president, Patrick Nisira, said concerns over Chinese influence were fuelled by sceptical 'western media sources'. 'The dearth of options from traditional development partners over the last 20 years, a rapidly shortening timeframe for self-governance … and now Chinese companies' approaches for partnerships in these very areas, make such opportunities worth considering for the benefit of the people,' he said. Oliver Nobetau, project director of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Network at the Lowy Institute, said he believes Bougainville will declare independence on 1 September 2027. 'Is it going to be successful? I don't think so. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'What happens next is the great uncertainty… nobody knows what's going to happen on [September] 2nd.' Nobetau said Bougainville's strategic access is significant: the island is 'right next door to Solomon Islands, and nearly smack bang in the middle of the Pacific'. 'For countries like the US and Australia, and for China, the next question is 'who are they going to turn to for assistance?' Because they definitely won't be able to do it by themselves. 'Are the US and Australia worried about the influence of China on a potential newly independent Bougainville? Yes, absolutely.' Bougainville is less than 1,500km from the Australian coast, but the pair share a complex history: first as coloniser and colonised when Bougainville was part of the Australian-controlled Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Beginning in the 1970s, Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto ran Panguna mine, which sparked Bougainville's brutal civil war. The Australian government was also directly implicated in the conflict when helicopters provided to PNG were fitted with weapons and turned on the Bougainvillean people. But the Australian government was also a key agent in brokering the peace deal that ended the conflict. Bougainville, a group of islands off Papua New Guinea to the north of Australia, has been variously controlled by Britain, Germany, Japan, Australia and PNG. It declared independence in 1975 as the Republic of North Solomons, but was absorbed into the newly independent PNG weeks later. Its close ethnic ties and proximity to the Solomons archipelago means it has always sat uneasily with Port Moresby's rule. That discontent came to a violent head in 1988 after a long-running dispute over the lucrative Panguna copper and gold mine. The mine, carved from a mountain in central Bougainville, was critically important to PNG, at one point generating more than 45% of the country's national export revenue. Multinational Rio Tinto and other international investors earned nearly US$2bn from the mine over 17 years of operation. But less than 1% of the mine's profits went to Bougainvilleans, whose homes and lands had been destroyed by it. Under the leadership of a former mine worker, Francis Ona, disaffected Bougainvilleans ran a sabotage campaign which forced the mine's closure in 1989. The PNG Government responded by sending in police, then soldiers, to restore law and order. Bougainville was blockaded and the island descended into a brutal civil war that ran for a decade, and saw as many as 20,000 people die. PNG later hired international mercenaries to end the conflict (the notorious Sandline affair), before a peace agreement was signed in 2001. In a 2019 referendum, 97.7% of Bougainvilleans voted in favour of independence. Many argue that reopening Panguna mine will be key to the island's economic future as an independent nation. Australia has, since the Bougainville Peace Accords, been the island's largest external development funder: $51m of Australia's $631m in development assistance to PNG goes to the autonomous region, the most of any single province: money is dedicated towards roads, bridges and solar electricity projects. Since a 2019 referendum on independence returned a 97.7% yes vote, the Australian government has sought to maintain a resolute neutrality on Bougainville's independence – although its position has not always been seen as impartial on the island. In 2022, the deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said 'our role is to support the prime minister, and the government of Papua New Guinea, in the decisions that it makes in respect of the future of Bougainville', a statement seen as siding with the PNG government, which is resistant to secession. Bougainville's president, Ishmael Toroama, accused Marles of 'veiled threats' and said Australia had made only 'piecemeal contributions' to Bougainville's development through 'boomerang aid'. 'My people do not take kindly to threats and we will never kowtow to neo-colonists that seek to usurp the sovereignty of Pacific island nations with their bullying tactics and intimidation.' Conroy said this month the question of Bougainville's political independence was 'a matter for the people of Bougainville, and Papua New Guinea more broadly, to decide'. This project was supported by a grant from the Melbourne Press Club's Michael Gordon Fellowships
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
CRCC Develops Local Expertise in Tanzania
BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tanzania's JP Magufuli Bridge opened to traffic on June 19, marking more than just a transportation milestone. Africa's longest low-tower cable-stayed bridge spanning Lake Victoria also represents five years of successful local capacity building and skills development. Built by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), the project implemented hands-on training programs during complex construction phases like cable installation and cantilever casting. This 'learn-by-doing' approach helped transform local workers from general laborers into skilled technicians and specialists. The project generated over 3,000 local jobs and trained more than 1,500 technical workers across structural construction, electrical systems, safety management, and materials handling. 'I used to do odd jobs around town,' says Joshua, a local employee now responsible for project-wide safety management who conducts weekly training sessions for new staff. 'The Chinese engineers taught me more than just procedures—they taught me responsibility and leadership.' Electrician Saidi's journey illustrates this transformation. Starting with basic light bulb repairs, he now manages the entire bridge's electrical systems independently. 'We sometimes communicate through gestures, sometimes in broken English and Chinese, but technical knowledge transcends language barriers,' he explains. 'This project showed me that any problem can be solved with dedication to learning.' Warehouse manager Michael credits Chinese mentors with teaching him systematic management principles of planning, controlling, and monitoring. 'Now I don't just manage inventory—I lead teams,' he says. Project leaders emphasize that these locally trained technicians participated in world-class infrastructure development and will contribute to future projects. CRCC's commitment to knowledge transfer strengthens China-Africa infrastructure cooperation while building sustainable capacity for Africa's continued development.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Africa's Longest Low-Pylon Cable-Stayed Bridge Opens in Tanzania
BEIJING, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The JP Magufuli Bridge in Tanzania's Mwanza Province officially opened to traffic on June 19, 2025. Built by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), the 4.66-kilometer structure stands as Africa's longest low-pylon cable-stayed bridge, featuring a 520-meter main span with three towers and dual cable planes that connects both shores of Lake Victoria. During the opening ceremony, Tanzanian officials praised China's sustained support and the project team's professionalism. Despite facing numerous challenges over five years of construction—including the COVID-19 pandemic, complex geological conditions, and equipment supply chain disruptions—the team delivered the project on schedule while maintaining high construction standards. The bridge's completion delivers substantial economic and social benefits to the region. Commute times between shores have plummeted from 40 minutes by ferry to under five minutes by road, while freight costs have dropped 10-15%. These improvements are energizing local agriculture, tourism, and commerce, driving new economic growth across the region. The bridge incorporates environmentally conscious design and local cultural elements. Its towers resemble outstretched arms, symbolizing Tanzania's embrace of cooperation and prosperity, while the structure features the colors of Tanzania's national flag, creating a striking landmark along Lake Victoria's shoreline. This 'dream bridge' fulfills the late President John Magufuli's vision while exemplifying successful China-Africa collaboration. It represents mutual trust and shared benefits between the two regions, embodying East Africa's aspirations for greater connectivity and prosperity. Company: China Railway Construction Corporation Limited Contact Person: Wen Kai Email: [email protected] Website: Telephone: 010-52688232 City: Beijing, China A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why Nebraskans keep standing up for Head Start
Head Start helps thousands of Nebraskans access quality child care. (Stock photo by) As the recipient of Nebraska's largest Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grant, we've made a promise: to show up with care, consistency and compassion, especially when families face the toughest of times. Our work with CRCC, CSI, Educare Lincoln and Educare of Omaha, Inc., brings more than 200 combined years of experience in serving Nebraska's children and their families. The federally funded Head Start program is part of that promise, one that has received bipartisan support year after year. But in recent weeks, news broke about a federal budget proposal that would zero out funding for Head Start in 2026. It is impossible to state the impact this move would have on nearly 800,000 children and their families nationwide. Congress has the power to decide what gets funded and what doesn't. That's where we need to act. In Nebraska, Head Start funding supports the capacity for 5,653 eligible children, employing 2,187 staff in 179 child care centers across the state. These are not just numbers. These are real Nebraska children and families with real futures. And now, the funding to support them is at real risk. For 60 years, this nationally recognized, locally rooted program has given our most vulnerable children a safe, developmentally rich environment to learn and grow while their parents work to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The National Head Start Association's 2025 Nebraska Head Start Profile shows that 4,137 parents of enrolled children were employed, in school or in job training, which would not be possible without reliable child care through Head Start. Protecting Head Start is essential to the well-being of children, families, and communities. Any move away from this risks consequences we can't afford. We don't use these words lightly. Head Start is a vital foundation for families working to build a better future. It offers reliable support for parents and strong, nurturing early education for children — along with meals, vision and hearing screenings, developmental assessments, and dental care. Protecting Head Start means preserving stability, opportunity and access to care for at-risk children and over a million parents who rely on it to stay in the workforce. Communities nationwide depend on it as a cornerstone of their child and family support systems. Head Start works. Not because it's easy — but because it's essential. It's a federal program with decades of data, bipartisan support and consistent, community-driven results. It combines local donations with state and federal funds to provide exactly what Nebraska families need: dependable, comprehensive quality child care. Given Head Start's proven return and essential impact, the conversations in Congress and in our communities should be about increasing funding, not eliminating it. The return on investment is clear. Nobel Laureate economist James Heckman found that every dollar invested in quality early childhood programs like Head Start returns more than seven dollars in reduced crime, improved health and increased earnings. Supporting Head Start is not just a moral imperative. It's a smart economic one. How much does the country invest? Head Start funding accounts for 0.18% of the FY2024 federal budget. Head Start funding strengthens our work as long-standing early childhood partners in Nebraska. We know these families. We work alongside them. We see the deep commitment to their children and their dreams for their families' futures, many of which would not be possible without help from Head Start. As a state that values hard work, personal responsibility and community, Nebraskans should encourage congressional support for this invaluable program. When we talk about Nebraska family values, we do not abandon our youngest citizens when they need us most. We call on our elected officials, neighbors, friends and fellow Nebraskans — from Lincoln to Scottsbluff, Omaha to Ogallala — to speak up. Let your voice be heard. Speak up. Share this message. Remind Washington that Nebraska protects its children. Let's ensure that, as Head Start celebrates 60 years of impact this May, the gift we give back is unwavering support. Because when we invest in children, we invest in us all. Sarah Ann Kotchian is chief executive officer of the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative. She has served on local and state commissions, task forces and boards.
