President Emmanuel Macron will visit the French overseas territory New Caledonia in the Pacific from 24 July to 29 July. The agenda includes discussions on the archipelago's future status, the effects of China's growing influence in the region, and environmental issues such as climate change and coastal erosion.
Macron last visited New Caledonia in 2018, before a series of three referendums on self-determination. The "No" vote won, but voices favouring a separation from Paris are growing stronger. During the first referendum in 2018, independence was rejected by 56.7 percent, but in 2020 only by 53.3 percent.
