Why the Belt and Road Initiative Should Prioritise the Ramu–Madang Road

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The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has made inroads across the Pacific through infrastructure, connectivity, and investment projects. Yet in PNG, where China’s largest single investment in the Pacific—the Ramu NiCo mine—operates, benefits remain contested. Community voices, parliamentary debates, and national leaders have all questioned whether Chinese projects are meeting local needs. If the BRI is to enhance China’s credibility in PNG, it must target projects that directly improve daily life for communities around Ramu NiCo. Chief among these is the Ramu–Madang road.

Minister Richard Maru has directed the Mineral Resources Authority to audit Ramu NiCo’s community benefits, reflecting growing concerns about whether the mine is delivering fair outcomes for local people.

The Ramu–Madang road is not just a transport link; it is the lifeline that connects the Kurumbukari mine site to Madang town, the provincial centre, and to surrounding villages, schools, and markets. For thousands of residents, this stretch of road determines whether children can reach classrooms, mothers can access health services, and farmers can bring produce to town. Its deteriorating condition has become a visible symbol of neglect, fuelling resentment against Ramu NiCo and, by extension, against China’s role in PNG.

The road also carries national economic significance. Running directly parallel to it is the pipeline that transports nickel and cobalt slurry from Kurumbukari to the Basamuk refinery. Every day, locals watch immense mineral wealth flow out through the pipeline while they themselves struggle with potholes and unreliable transport on the same corridor. This stark contrast reinforces the perception that PNG’s resources are being smoothly exported, while communities along the route remain disconnected and marginalised from the wealth generated in their own backyard.

At present, the Ramu–Madang road is in the design stage under an Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank partnership, as confirmed by the Works Secretary. But design alone does not guarantee a high-quality outcome. This is where Ramu NiCo must step up. The company should join the ADB and the World Bank in co-funding the redesigning of the road and work closely with the Department of Works to ensure that the design is robust, durable, and world-class. Anything less risks reinforcing the perception that Chinese companies only take from PNG without giving back in meaningful ways.

Such a move would transform the road into a flagship symbol of reciprocity. For residents of Madang Province, seeing Chinese involvement in building a reliable, high-quality road to their provincial centre would be a daily reminder that Beijing is committed not only to extracting resources but also to investing in local welfare. This would counter the entrenched perception that Chinese projects in PNG operate solely for profit with little regard for social impact.

Importantly, shifting the Ramu–Madang road into the BRI framework would elevate it beyond corporate responsibility and situate it firmly within China’s foreign policy agenda. Instead of being viewed as Ramu NiCo’s problem, the road would become a state-level commitment, signalling that China takes seriously the concerns of both national leaders and provincial communities. This repositioning could repair reputational damage from years of contested mining practices in Madang.

From a soft power perspective, the dividends would be significant. China has poured resources into scholarships, training, and cultural diplomacy in PNG, but these efforts risk being overshadowed by negative experiences with resource extraction. A co-funded, world-class Ramu–Madang road would show that China can deliver public goods that matter to ordinary people. For Madang’s residents, driving on a smooth, reliable road to their provincial centre would reshape how they view China—not as a distant power, but as a genuine partner in their development journey.

The Ramu–Madang road, running beside the very pipeline that channels wealth from the highlands to the sea, is more than asphalt and gravel. It is a test of China’s credibility in PNG. By anchoring this project within the BRI and ensuring that it is co-funded, well-designed, and world-class, China has an opportunity to turn a symbol of division into a bridge of goodwill. In doing so, it can strengthen its soft power, reinforce PNG’s trust, and secure a more sustainable foundation for its largest Pacific investment.

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