France's 'Pacific pebble' New Caledonia rejects independence
Source: Agence France-Presse
4 NOV 2018
The Pacific islands of New Caledonia voted Sunday to remain part of France in an independence referendum that showed support for Paris in one of its many far-flung but strategic outposts.
Some 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) from the French mainland, New Caledonia is home to a quarter of the world's known supplies of nickel -- a vital electronics component -- and is a foothold for France in the Pacific where China is increasing its influence.
On the final count, 56.4 percent of people had rejected the proposition that New Caledonia become independent, a clear but smaller-than-expected victory for loyalists to the mainland.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "immense pride that we have taken this historic step together" in a televised address to the nation, adding it was "a sign of confidence in the French republic, in its future and its values."
Read more: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/frances-pacific-pebble-new-caledonia-rejects-independence-doc-1ai8fc7