Voters on the island of New Caledonia, a French Overseas Territory, began voting on Sunday on whether the South Pacific archipelago will remain part of France or separate after a 165-year occupation.
Under the referendum card, voters are asked to answer "yes" or "no" to one question: "Do you want New Caledonia to get full sovereignty and become independent?"
The vote is the first of its kind on independence in French territory since Djibouti's independence vote in 1977.
The archipelago represents the strategic and economic importance of France, where it ensures an impressive presence in the Asia-Pacific region and has been under French sovereignty since 1853.
The region has been plagued by long-standing tensions between pro-independence indigenous people, known as Kanaks, and descendants of colonial settlers still loyal to Paris.
Voting for independence would not only hurt France's pride, but would also deprive Paris of having a presence in the Indian and Pacific Ocean region, where China would strengthen its presence.
During a visit to New Caledonia last May, French President Emmanuel Macaron admitted what he called "the pains of colonialism" and praised the Kanak-led "independence" campaign for independence.
According to the latest polls, voters are expected to vote for the islands to remain part of France.
New Caledonia and its 280,000 people enjoy a great deal of autonomy, but they depend heavily on France for matters such as defense and education.
