By Daryl Morini Nouméa—It’s time that Nouméa makes up its own mind on partners and friends when so many players have an opinion. Is China about to plant a red-and-yellow flag in Nouméa, its latest Pacific trophy? Not really. But that’s the impression local politicians are increasingly adept at conveying, both to garner votes and jangle nerves in France and Australia about New Caledonia’s 44-year political struggle over independence. The island’s last independence vote on Dec.