After firing a missile to within 700 kilometres of French Polynesia, Beijing has now invited a delegation from the small Pacific nation on a state visit.
The French Government has agreed to a Pacific Islands Forum delegation visiting its troubled territory of New Caledonia, after initial problems agreeing terms.
A peaceful resolution of New Caledonia’s quest for independence may have been sacrificed to shore up votes for Emmanuel Macron’s party in a snap election.
France has sent both ballots for the European Union elections and a new armoured vehicle, with tear gas and machine gun capability, to troubled New Caledonia.
The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron—and his promise to put on hold controversial viting reforms—seems to have done little to quell the conflict.