The false Pacific dilemma of choosing between U.S. and China
For some observers, the signing of the China-Solomon Islands Treaty has opened a can of geostrategic worms for the Pacific (Australia, NZ and FICs), presenting a false dilemma that FICs ought to choose who is to be
Whispers
Lau in the spotlight A tug of war of mega proportions is underway in Suva’s corridors of power over an initiative by a group of islands in Fiji to preserve the largely pristine sea and land. Under their Lau Seascape
Fiji’s tourism comeback
But concerns remain over Pacific-wide labour shortages Travellers now want authentic and immersive vacation experiences, an analyst from international consulting firm Twenty31, told the recent Fiji Tourism Expo. Oliver
A ‘Can Do’ Spirit For MSG and Melanesia
“In terms of the broad Melanesian Spearhead Group family, my intention is to re-institute the spirit of ‘can do’ that characterised the MSG when it was first formed in the 1980s.” That’s Leonard Louma, the new
Tonga Rebuilds
“We gave the world a bit of a shake on the 15th of January this year,” Moana Kioa from Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) told the Global Platform for Disaster Risk resilience in Indonesia
An Umbilical Cord Between New Caledonia and Fiji
When the Gondwana 2 submarine cable linking New Caledonia and Fiji was landed in Suva last month, FINTEL CEO George Samisoni described it as an “umbilical cord” linking the Pacific. Samisoni said it took seven years
Briefs
American Samoa Local inflation reached double digits in the first quarter of 2022. The rate was 11.6%, an increase from 9.7% at the end of 2021, says American Samoa’s Statistics and Analysis Division. Price rises were
The Drua does not sink
‘Sega ni dau dromu na Drua’, meaning ‘The Drua does not sink’, were the words that echoed through the Fijiana Drua camp this season, carrying them all the way to the Super W title. Short and simple they may be,
Movers and Shakers
Jane Waetara is Solomon Islands’ new Permanent Representative to the United Nations and High Commissioner to Canada after officially tendering an early resignation as the nation’s first female Chief Electoral
Pacific netball remain resilient through COVID
Netball playing nations in the Pacific are looking forward to finally playing international Tests again after COVID-19 forced them into a hiatus more than two years ago. Financial restraints and small player pools have
‘The family stays together’
Micronesian members will stay in Pacific Islands Forum “I think that big dark, dark cloud that has been hanging over the Pacific has evaporated from this meeting.” That was Federated States of Micronesia President,
