By ABC
Chinese construction companies are copping criticism in Vanuatu in the wake of the massive earthquake that devastated the capital Port Vila last December.
Several Chinese-built buildings, including the near-new Presidential Palace, are among those badly damaged by the magnitude 7.3 quake.
Structural engineer Cyrille Mainguy’s assessed the widespread damage at the Chinese-built Malapoa College, which is set to be demolished.
“They’re mainly building concrete frames, so columns and beam structure, and there’s no reinforcement into the block work in some of the buildings,” he said.
“But I think we must not only blame China, we must blame Vanuatu.”
The Chinese Embassy says the damage to the college, Presidential Palace and other buildings was ‘inevitable’ and ‘cosmetic’ given the scale of the earthquake.
It also says Chinese projects were built in accordance with local building codes.
Prime Minister Jotham Napat says the building code will be reviewed.
