The Pacific island of New Caledonia voted Sunday to remain part of France in an independence referendum that showed support for Paris in one of its many strategic bases, despite its geographical distance.
The success of the vote in favor of independence would deny France a foothold in the Indian and Pacific Ocean, where China would strengthen its presence.
According to the Reuters news agency quoted by the national television channel "NBC", the participation rate in the referendum amounted to about 80 per cent, and the initial results of the vote after 95 percent of the votes, showed the rejection of 59.5 per cent of the participants independence.
It is a vote of confidence for the French Republic, its future and its values, "French President Emmanuel Macaron said in a speech on French television.
"He understands the disappointment of supporters of independence," he said, stressing that the French state "will ensure freedom, equality and brotherhood for everyone."
The region has long been beset by pro-independence indigenous people known as Kanaks, and descendants of settlers still loyal to Paris.
New Caledonia's economy is based on French annual aid of 1.3 billion euros ($ 1.48 billion), as well as on nickel, which accounts for about a quarter of world production, as well as tourism.
New Caledonia, discovered by the British explorer James Cook, is about 17,000 km from France and became a French colony in 1853.
It is the first vote on independence to be held in French territory since Djibouti's 1977 independence vote.
