Macron: France owes 'debt' to Polynesians over nuclear tests

President Emmanuel Macron has reasserted France’s presence in the Pacific on a visit to French Polynesia aimed in part at countering growing Chinese dominance in the region

PAPEETE, French Polynesia -- French President Emmanuel Macron has reasserted his nation's presence in the Pacific on a visit to French Polynesia, a trip aimed at countering growing Chinese dominance in the region. The trip was also designed to underline the French government's support for Polynesians and heal wounds over French nuclear testing on the former colony's atolls, half a planet away from Paris. Macron stopped short of apologizing Tuesday, but acknowledged France's “debt” to Polynesians over the underground and atmospheric tests, which ran from 1966-1996. Polynesian demonstrators welcomed his words, but said they're waiting to see if he follows up with actions. Macron promised money for cyclone shelters to help the island territory cope with climate change, and more help in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in a region where most islands have no airport, and reaching emergency medical services can take hours or even days.