Vanuatu

Social and cultural environment

1. Ethnicity
Vanuatu has a population of 292000 (in 2018), of which 98.2% are Melanesians, while the rest are French, British, Chinese, Vietnamese and Polynesian immigrants, as well as some nearby island nations. After the independence of Vanuatu, a large number of Australian and New Zealand merchants entered the Vanuatu market. Their interests, along with those of British and French descent, were deeply rooted in Vanuatu and had a significant impact on its economy and politics.
Vanuatu currently has about 1000 Chinese and overseas Chinese. The Chinese community mainly consists of mass organizations such as the Chinese Association, Hometown Association, and Vanuatu Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The majority of Chinese and overseas Chinese are concentrated in the capital city of Port Vila and the capital city of Sangma Province, Luganville, mainly engaged in service industries such as supermarkets, department stores, restaurants, small hotels, and car repairs.

2. Language
The official languages of Vanuatu are English, French, and Bislama, with Bislama being widely used.

3. Religion
The local residents of Vanuatu mainly believe in Christianity (84% of them believe in Christianity) and Catholicism, with some people adhering to traditional primitive religions.

4. Customs
In Vanuatu, pig teeth, especially those coiled into discs, are a symbol of wealth. But the definition of wealth is not determined by the amount a person possesses, but by the amount they give as gifts. The level selection ceremony is usually a carefully prepared social event where a sacred pig slaughtering ceremony is held and gifts are given to family members. Traditional rituals and activities are an important component of village life. Feasts, dance performances, and sacred pig killing ceremonies are also held at major festival ceremonies. The Kava beverage in Vanuatu is also an important component of Vanuatu's cultural customs. It is made from the roots of a type of Kava pepper produced in the South Pacific Islands. The traditional method is to chop the kava into small pieces, chew it in the mouth into a sticky substance, and then spit it out and put it in a bowl. Squeeze the paste like Kava juice, which can be consumed by humans. On some islands, both men and women drink kava to relax after hard work. Vanuatu people have a habit of drinking Kava beverages during major holidays or when entertaining VIPs.

5. Education and healthcare
The education system in Vanuatu stipulates a 6-year primary school system, a 4-year junior high school system, and a 3-4 year high school system. The primary school enrollment rate is about 70%, the secondary school enrollment rate is about 50%, and Vanuatu implements a 10-year compulsory education system. Secondary vocational schools include: National Technical College, Normal College, Maritime College, Nursing School, Police School, etc. The Law Department of South Pacific University is located in Port Villa. China has been providing scholarships to students from Vanuatu to study in China since 1995.

Medical conditions in Vanuatu are relatively backward, but free medical care is basically implemented nationwide. There are a total of 5 hospitals, 27 health centers, 74 clinics, and 180 ambulance stations nationwide. Basic implementation of public funded medical care, but the phenomenon of shortage of medical care and insufficient medication is still quite serious. According to the World Health Organization, in 2014, Vanuatu's total healthcare expenditure accounted for 5% of its GDP. Calculated at purchasing power parity, per capita healthcare expenditure was $150.36; In 2016, the life expectancy of the population was 72 years.

The Chinese government has implemented 18 and 12 consecutive medical technology cooperation projects in Santo Island and Vila Port, respectively. Foreign aid medical teams have been dispatched to Santo North Hospital and Vila Central Hospital to provide medical assistance services in surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine, anesthesia, and pediatrics, as well as necessary drugs and medical equipment.

In mid to late February 2016, the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila, experienced an outbreak of infectious conjunctivitis (commonly known as red eye disease), with over a thousand infected individuals. There are many mosquitoes and insects in the local rainy season. From the end of 2016 to the beginning of 2017, there was a dengue fever outbreak in the area, with more than 1000 infected people. In April 2019, when
The outbreak of influenza in the area has infected more than 800 people, and hospitals are experiencing shortages or discontinuations of medication. In April 2020, there was a dengue fever outbreak in the Santo Island area.

6. Trade unions and other non-governmental organizations
The Vanuatu Trade Union Committee is the only national trade union organization in Vanuatu, affiliated with the International Federation of Trade Unions. It was established in 1985 and has five trade union organizations under its jurisdiction. In 1994, due to intensified conflicts with the government, a strike was held, resulting in the dissolution of most unions and a reduction in union members.

The China Vanuatu Friendship Exchange Association regularly carries out cultural exchange projects between the two countries, with the aim of better promoting cooperation in economic, trade, investment, tourism, and other fields between China and Vanuatu, and providing a broader exchange platform for the people of both countries.

7. Main media
The main newspaper in Vanuatu is the Daily Post, a private newspaper published in English from Monday to Saturday, with a circulation of approximately 3000-5000 copies. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation is the official news agency that owns Radio Vanuatu and TV Belong Vanuatu. The radio station was established in 1966 and broadcasts news and cultural programs in Bislama, English, and French three times a day in the morning, middle, and evening. It also broadcasts news programs from the BBC, Radio France International, and Radio Australia. The television station was established in 1993 and broadcasts 3-4 hours of programs every day. Except for a small number of self-produced programs, it mainly broadcasts cultural and artistic programs from France, England, and Australia.
China Central Television's English News Channel and China Radio International (CRI) were established in Vanuatu in 2005 and 2007, respectively. The paid international channels that have landed in Vanuatu also include RFO/Tele Novelle Caledonie, TBN, ABC Australian Network, TV NZ, Telsat Pay TV, LPF Pay TV, etc.

8. Social security
Vanuatu's overall public security is good, but with urbanization, a large number of people from the outlying islands have flooded into major cities such as Port Vila and Luganville, leading to an increase in unemployment rates and a deterioration in social security. incidents of theft, robbery, and other incidents have occurred from time to time. So far, there have been no terrorist attacks in Vanuatu. Residents are legally allowed to hold firearms. According to statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there were 6 murder cases in Vanuatu in 2015, with a rate of 2.13 per 100000 people. As of May 2020, there have been no direct terrorist attacks or kidnapping cases targeting Chinese companies or citizens.

9. Holidays
Vanuatu has a total of 14 statutory holidays. January 1st New Year's Day, February 21st Independence Father's Day, March 5th Chief's Day, May 1st Labor Day, July 24th Children's Day, July 30th Independence Day, October 5th Constitution Day, November 29th Unity Day, December 25th Christmas Day, December 26th Family Day, as well as major religious holidays such as Good Friday (April 19th), Easter (April 21st), Ascension of Jesus (May 30th), and Assumption of Our Lady (August 15th). Vanuatu is a government working day from Monday to Friday, with working hours from 8am to 12am and from 1pm to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday are public holidays.