大象传媒

The French president has flown into New Caledonia after more than a week of violent clashes in the French-Pacific territory.

Six people, including two police officers, have been killed and hundreds more wounded in riots, looting and arson triggered by a controversial electoral reform.

Kanak protesters fear that the reforms giving voting rights to French residents who have lived there for more than 10 years will dilute the influence of the indigenous population.

Pacific islands journalist Nic McLellan says, "Whether or not people want to stay part of the French Republic is at the heart of this crisis."

Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron visits the central police station in Noumea Credit: Ludovic Marin/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock