Islanders on the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia rejected independence on Sunday in a referendum, but the results showed weaker-than-expected support for Paris in the resource-rich and strategic outpost.
Some 18,000 kilometres from the French mainland, New Caledonia is home to a quarter of the world's known supplies of nickel - a vital electronics component - and is a foothold for France in the Pacific where China is gaining influence.
On the final count, 56.4 per cent of people rejected the proposition that New Caledonia become independent. Turnout was high at 80.63 per cent.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "immense pride that we have taken this historic step together" in an address to the nation, adding it was "a sign of confidence in the French republic, in its future and its values."
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