About Vanuatu

 

[Country Name] The Republic of Vanuatu.

[Area] The land area is 12,200 square kilometers, and the marine exclusive economic zone is 680,000 square kilometers. There are 82 islands in total.

[Population] About 310,000 (2019). 98% of them are Vanuatu and Melanesian, and the rest are French, British, Chinese and Vietnamese, Polynesian immigrants and other Pacific Islanders. 2/3 of the population is concentrated in the four islands of Efate, Santo, Malekula and Tana. The official languages ​​are English, French and Bislama, and Bislama is the general language. There are more than 100 dialects in the country. 84% believe in Christianity.

[Capital] Port Vila, with an average annual temperature of 25.3 ℃.

[Head of State] President Tallis Obed Moses, who took office on July 6, 2017, for a five-year term.

[Important holiday] Independence Day: July 30.

[Brief introduction] Located in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean. It is a Melanesian archipelago consisting of about 82 islands (68 of which are inhabited). The largest island of Santo (also known as Espiritu Santo) has an area of ​​3,947 square kilometers. It has a tropical marine climate.

The Vanuatu people lived here thousands of years ago. Discovered by Spanish explorers in 1606. The French came here in 1768. In 1774 the British Captain Cook came here and named the place "New Hebrides". In October 1906, Britain and France signed a co-administration pact, and the area became an Anglo-French co-colonial. In 1963 the Aboriginals formed the first political party, the Village Party, demanding land reclamation and independence. Internal autonomy was implemented in January 1978. Independence on July 30, 1980. After independence, Walter Lini, leader of the New Hebrides National Party (later renamed the Vanuaku Party, referred to as the Waku Party), became the first Prime Minister and Sokomanu became the President.

In March 2020, Vanuatu will hold parliamentary elections. In April, the new council of Vanuatu held its first meeting. The Vanuacu Party, the Alliance of Moderate Parties, and the National United Party form a ruling coalition, with Bob Loughman as Prime Minister.

[Constitution] It was formulated in 1979 and entered into force in 1980. The constitution stipulates that the president is elected by an electoral college (58 in total) composed of the chairmen of parliament and local committees for a five-year term. Legislative power is vested in Parliament and executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister is elected by the Parliament, and Cabinet Ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister. All land in Vanuatu is owned by indigenous people and their descendants. October 5 is designated as Constitution Day.

[Parliament] Unicameral system with a total of 52 seats and a 4-year term. Ordinary sessions are held twice a year. At the request of the majority of the members, the Speaker or the Prime Minister, the Parliament may hold special sessions. The current parliament was officially established in April 2020, and the current speaker is Gracia Chadrack.

[Government] The Cabinet is also known as the Council of Ministers. Prime Minister Bob Loveman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Foreign Trade Marc Ati, Minister of Finance John Johnny Koanapo, Health Minister Silas Bule, Tourism, Commerce and Indigenous Affairs Minister James Bule, Education Minister Seoule Simeon ), Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity Willie Daniel Kalo, Minister of Climate Change Bruno Lengkone, Minister of Youth and Sports Development Willie Satirrotto Paco Willie Satearoto Pakoa, Attorney General Esmon Saimon, Lands Minister Jack Norris Kalmet, Infrastructure Minister Jay Ngwele.

[Administrative divisions] The country is divided into 6 provinces of Torba, Sanma, Panama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea, and 2 cities of Port Vila and Luganville.

[Judiciary] The Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the local courts responsible for traditional affairs. The Chief Justice is nominated by the Prime Minister and appointed by the President. The current Chief Justice is Vincent Lunabeck.

[Party]The main political parties are:

(1) Vanuaaku Party: The ruling coalition. Formerly known as the New Hebrides National Party, it was established in 1971 and is the oldest political party in Vanuatu. In 1977 it was changed to its current name. The party has been in power until 1991 under the leadership of the late Founding Father Walter Linney since its independence in 1980. The Waku Party split in 1991, and Walter Linney left to form the National Coalition Party. In April 1999, the Waku Party and the Communist Party of China formally established inter-party relations, making it the first political party in a Pacific island country to establish inter-party relations with the Chinese Communist Party. Chairman Bob Loveman.

(2) Union of Moderate Parties: The ruling coalition, with some MPs joining the opposition camp. Founded in 1974, it is one of the most influential French-speaking political parties in Watts. It was first in power in 1991 under then-chairman Maxim Coleman and lasted until 1998. In 2001, it formally established inter-party relations with the Communist Party of China. Chairman Serge Warhol, Vice Chairman Alatoy Ishmael Karsakau.

(3) National United Party (National United Party): the ruling coalition. Formed in 1991 by the late Founding Father Walter Linney, who left the Waku Party. In March 2004, it formally established inter-party relations with the Communist Party of China. Chairman Ham Lini, Vice-Chairman Silas Bly.

(4) Land and Justice Party: established in 2010. Claims to respect the land and traditions, believes that chiefs, churches, women and children are the four pillars of the country, and promotes national development through the protection of the country's land and commerce. Chairman Ralph Regenvanu.

(5) Reunification of Movement for Change: established in 2012. It was formed by the exodus of Salvi, the then vice-president of the coalition of moderate parties. In 2016, Salve established inter-party relations with the CCP during his visit to China to attend the CCP-World Dialogue. Chair Charlotte Salvi.

(6) Leaders Party of Vanuatu: established in 2015. Founded by Napat, the former chief of the Climate Change Department. The party holds high the banner of anti-corruption and calls for sustainable economic, environmental and social development in Vanuatu. Chairman Jottan Napat.

(7) People's Progressive Party (People's Progressive Party): established in 2001, formed by Killman who left the Melanesian Progressive Party. In 2005, the party formally established inter-party relations with the Communist Party of China. Chairman Sato Kilman.

[VIP]

Tallis Obaid Moses: President. Born in Malampa, the central province of Vanuatu in 1954, he graduated from Sydney Theological Seminary in Australia and Talua Bible College in Vanuatu with a diploma in theology. After 1987, he has been engaged in pastoral work for a long time and has a high reputation in Vanuatu. Elected President of the Presbyterian Church in 2009 for a 4-year term. In July 2017, he was elected as the ninth president of Vanuatu.

Bob Loveman: Prime Minister, Chairman of the Vanuaku Party. Born in 1961. Studied at the University of the South Pacific and has served as a MP since 2004. He has served as Minister of Education, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Commerce, and was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu in April 2020.

[Economy] The economy is backward, and he graduated from the UN list of least developed countries on December 4, 2020. Agriculture and tourism are the pillars of the economy of Vanuatu. The tourism-based service industry and construction industry are the main driving forces for the economy. The main economic data for 2020 are as follows:

Gross Domestic Product: $860 million.

GDP per capita: $2,880.

Economic growth rate: -8.3%.

Currency name: Vatu.

Exchange rate: 1 US dollar ≈ 110 vatu.

(Source: International Monetary Fund)

[Resources] The original manganese ore mining has been exhausted, and the newly discovered resources include a small amount of manganese ore, iron ore, nickel, copper and bauxite, as well as a large amount of white sulfur volcanic ash. There is no mining operation at present. Forest coverage is 36%, of which only 20% are of commercial exploitation value. Rich in fishery resources, rich in tuna.

[Industry] Due to the high price and production cost of tile, industrial products lack export competitiveness, and the industrial products invested by foreign investors are mainly substitute imported commodities, which are sold in tile country. There are only small factories for food, wood processing, soap and so on.

[Agriculture] The climate and topography are suitable for agriculture and pasture development. 41% of the land is fertile arable land, but only 18% of the developed arable land. The rural population accounts for 80% of the country's population. The main agricultural products are copra, kava, cocoa, coffee, taro, cassava, sweet potato, banana, etc. The agricultural production mode of tile is backward and the development is slow.

[Fisheries] Dozens of foreign fishing boats cooperate with Vanuatu to fish in the exclusive economic zone of Vanuatu. According to the relevant regulations of Vanuatu, foreign fishing boats can conduct fishing operations in the waters of 12-200 nautical miles with the consent of the Vanuatu side. Only Vanuatu citizens and domestic companies can fish within 12 nautical miles, and fishing within 6 nautical miles is under the jurisdiction of the local provincial government. Small-scale commercial fisheries by national citizens.

[Services and Tourism] Tourism is one of the pillar industries of Vanuatu and the largest source of foreign exchange income, and its output value accounts for about 1/3 of the gross national product. Most tourists come from Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The main tourist attractions are Port Vila, Tana, Santo, Malekula and Pentecost Island.

[Transportation] The transportation facilities are backward and expensive. Mainly by sea. The total length of the road is about 1900 kilometers, most of which are dirt roads.

Water transportation: The total length of waterways is 780 kilometers. The maximum tonnage of inter-island transportation ships is more than 200 tons, and the existing ships are mostly worn out and backward. The capital Port Vila and Santo Port are international seaports, which can accommodate 10,000-ton merchant ships.

Vanuatu is an emerging flag state, and there are currently about 600 ships flying the Vanuatu flag. The shipping routes between China and Vanuatu include Tianjin/Shanghai-Busan-Port Vila, Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Sydney-Port Vila.

Air: All major islands have airports. Port Vila has an international airport. Before the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, direct flights to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia were available. Air Vanuatu is the only company operating international routes in Vanuatu, with nearly 10 domestic routes.

[Communication] In recent years, the telecommunications industry has developed rapidly. In the past, the telecommunications industry in Vanuatu was monopolized by the government authorized Vanuatu Telecom Company (TVL) to provide fixed telephone, mobile phone, data communication and Internet services. In 2008, the Vanuatu government broke the monopoly and granted Digicel, a telecommunications company headquartered in Jamaica, a mobile phone business license, which stimulated the rapid growth of the Vanuatu mobile communication market.

[Financial Finance] In 2019, the government's fiscal revenue was about 361 million US dollars, and its expenditure was about 297 million US dollars. In 2019, the total domestic and foreign debt was US$406 million, accounting for about 42.9% of the GDP. The main banks are:

(1) Reserve Bank of Vanuatu: Established in 1981, it is the central bank of Vanuatu. Formerly known as the Central Bank of Vanuatu, it was changed to its current name in 1989.

(2) National Bank of Vanuatu: It was established after taking over the Vanuatu Cooperative Reserve Bank in 1991. In November 1998, it merged with the Vanuatu Development Bank and is a state-owned bank.

[Foreign trade] In 2019, the total foreign trade of Vanuatu was about 400 million US dollars, of which the export value was about 58 million US dollars and the import value was about 345 million US dollars. Vanuatu’s trade in commodities is in deficit every year, mainly exporting copra, cocoa, beef and kava. The tile products are mainly exported to the European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other countries, and imported food, machinery, chemical products, fuels, etc. from Japan, Australia, Singapore, Germany, New Zealand and other countries.

In April 2012, Vanuatu officially became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In recent years, some western countries have banned the import of kava on the grounds that kava is harmful to human health, and the export volume of wakava has dropped sharply.

[Foreign capital] Foreign capital is mainly invested in trust insurance, law, accounting, finance, tourism and other service industries, as well as electricity, communications, and commerce. In 2019, foreign direct investment accounted for about 4.2% of Vanuatu's GDP.

[Foreign Aid] The average annual foreign aid received by Vanuatu accounts for about 17% of the GDP. Foreign aid mainly comes from Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Asian Development Bank, United Nations agencies, etc., and is generally used for specific projects such as industry, agriculture, education, health care, defense, judicial and administrative management.

[Military] There is no regular army. There are about 900 police and mobile units under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior. Watts has defence agreements with Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Vanuatu Police and Tactical Force personnel are involved in United Nations peacekeeping operations in East Timor, Bosnia, Papua New Guinea Peace Monitoring Mission in Bougainville, and the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands.

[Culture] The Ministry of Interior of Vanuatu is the highest leading agency for cultural work in Vanuatu, and the "National Culture Council" appointed by the Ministry leads the cultural work. The Vanuatu Cultural Center is an organization that specifically organizes and carries out cultural activities. It consists of the National Museum, the National Library, the Cultural Relics Registration Office, and the National Audio-visual Archives Office.

[Education] The tile education system stipulates that primary school is 6 years, junior high school is 4 years, and high school is 3-4 years. The primary school enrolment rate is 95%, but the secondary school enrolment rate is very low. Secondary vocational schools include: National Technical College, Teachers College, Nursing School, Police School, etc. The University of the South Pacific Law Campus is located in Port Vila.

[Press and Publication] The main newspapers and periodicals are: "Daily Post" (Daily Post), privately owned, published in English every day (except Sunday), with a circulation of 3000-5000 copies.

Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation): The official news agency, owns Radio Vanuatu and TV Blong Vanuatu. China International Television Station (CGTN) and China International Radio Station (CRI) landed in Vanuatu in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Paid international channels that have landed in tile also include: RFO/Tele Nouvelle Caledonie, TBN, ABC Australian Network, TV NZ, Telsat Pay TV, LPF Pay TV.

[External Relations] Vanuatu actively participates in international affairs and strengthens traditional bilateral and multilateral partnerships. It is a member of the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Organization, the Commonwealth of Nations, the French Community, the Pacific Islands Forum, the Melanesian Vanguard Group, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund Organization, World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Emphasizes to play a constructive role in the Asia-Pacific region and is committed to creating a peaceful, harmonious, nuclear-free and effective regional development environment. In March 2018, Watts officially became a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

[Relationship with the United States] Wamei established diplomatic relations in 1986. The U.S. ambassador to Papua New Guinea also serves as the ambassador to Vanuatu. In 1989, Wa and American signed an agreement to send the Peace Corps to Wa. Since then, the United States has sent dozens of peace members to Vanuatu every year to help Vanuatu develop education. The United States also subsidizes the Vanuatu police and mobile units to go to the United States for professional training. In 2005, the United States listed Vanuatu as one of the aid countries in its Millennium Challenge plan, and signed an agreement with Vanuatu in March 2006, promising to provide $65.69 million to Vanuatu in the next five years for infrastructure construction. The United States provides assistance to Vanuatu mainly through the "Peace Corps" in education, medical care and humanitarian affairs. In addition, the United States also provides development assistance to Vanuatu through the World Bank, the United Nations Children's Development Fund, the World Health Organization and other institutions. In December 2018, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia-Pacific Affairs Schriver visited Vanuatu.

[Relationship with Australia] Wa Australia established diplomatic relations in 1980. Australia is the largest donor to Vanuatu, and its aid focuses on improving education, health, the rule of law and promoting good governance, including providing funds, materials, consultants, scholarships, etc. Wa and Australia have signed a defense agreement. Australia is Vanuatu's largest trading partner and source of imported products. Australia is one of the main source countries of Vanuatu's tourism industry, and two-thirds of the long-term tourists to Vanuatu come from Australia. In March 2015, Australian Foreign Minister Bishop visited Vanuatu. In June 2018, Prime Minister Salvi of Vanuatu visited Australia. In January 2019, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Vanuatu. In February 2019, Vanuatu Foreign Minister Regen Vanu visited Australia.

[Relationship with New Zealand] Vanuatu established diplomatic relations in 1980. In 1991, the two countries signed a defense cooperation agreement. Xin is one of the main donor countries of Vanuatu, and since 2007, seasonal workers of Vanuatu have been allowed to go to Xin to engage in work such as orchard management. Vacongxin mainly imports medicines, aircraft parts, wood, steel, refrigerants and refined oil, etc., and mainly exports fish and fish products, metal waste and scraps, coconut and palm oil and coffee to New Zealand. Xin is one of the main source countries of Vanuatu tourism. There is a new high commission in Watts. In June 2016, New Zealand Foreign Minister McCarley visited Vanuatu. In August, Prime Minister Salvi of Vanuatu paid an official visit to New Zealand. In December 2017, Watts appointed the first High Commissioner in New Zealand and set up the High Commission in Wellington. In February 2018, Vanuatu Foreign Minister Regen Vanu visited New Zealand. In August, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Peters visited Vanuatu. In May 2019, Prime Minister Salvi paid an official visit to New Zealand for the second time during his tenure. In June, the new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Peters visited Vanuatu.

[Relationships with Britain and France] Britain and France were originally the co-administrative suzerainty of the tile. The relationship between Vanuatu and Britain has undergone major changes in recent years. Britain has reduced its aid to Vanuatu and currently only provides aid to the field of education. In 2005, the British closed the High Commission in Vanuatu. In July 2019, Bell, the British High Commissioner in Vanuatu, presented his credentials to the Vanuatu President Moses. France is one of the main donor countries of Vanuatu and has an embassy in Vanuatu. In recent years, French aid to Vanuatu mainly involves education, health, culture, military and judicial fields. France has a certain defense cooperation with Vanuatu through the army stationed in New Caledonia. In January 2017, Prime Minister Salvi of Vanuatu visited France. In April 2018, Prime Minister Salvi of Vanuatu went to London to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. In May, Prime Minister Salvi met with French President Emmanuel Macron in New Caledonia.

[Relationship with Japan] Wazhi established diplomatic relations in 1981. The Japanese ambassador to Fiji also serves as the ambassador to Vanuatu. Since the 1990s, the relationship between Wazhi has developed rapidly. The two parties have established joint ventures in fishery, meat processing, and tourism. Riviera has assisted in the construction of Port Vila Airport Expansion Project, Santo Hydropower Station Project, part of the Efate Roundabout Road, Port Vila Port Reconstruction Project, and Port Vila Central Hospital Expansion Project. Japan also dispatched volunteers and experts to Vanuatu to provide assistance in the fields of education, technology and social and economic development. In 2015, Prime Minister Natuman attended the 7th Japan-Pacific Island Leaders' Meeting held in Fukushima, Japan. In January 2017, Vanuatu Foreign Minister Rankin attended the Japan-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting. In May 2018, Prime Minister Salvi of Vanuatu went to Japan to attend the 8th Japan-Pacific Island Countries Leaders' Meeting. In 2020, Japan will set up an embassy in Vanuatu.

[Relationship with the EU] Vanuatu has close relations with the EU. Vanuatu is the only government financial aid recipient of the European Union in the Pacific island countries. According to the 11th European Development Fund of the European Union, from 2014 to 2020, the European Union will provide about 31 million euros of aid to Vanuatu. In October 2014, the European Union and Wa held political consultations in Port Vila, and the two sides had in-depth discussions on human rights, governance and the rule of law. In June 2016, Mimika, Commissioner of the European Commission in charge of international cooperation and development, visited Vanuatu. In January 2017, Prime Minister Salvi of Vanuatu led a delegation to attend the 4th EU-Vanuatu High-level Political Dialogue Annual Meeting held in Brussels.

[Relationship with other Pacific island countries] Wa and Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji are members of the "Melanesian Vanguard Group". The group meets annually to coordinate positions on regional affairs. The Group Secretariat is now located in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. In September 2017, Prime Minister Salvi of Vanuatu formally signed the "Pacific Closer Economic Relations Agreement".