Large drone spotted near border with PNG as Chinese warships passed nearby
Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko says he was not notified about a sophisticated drone that flew into the country’s air space around the time a Chinese naval vessel navigated the border
Cook Islands PM’s challenges go beyond China
It’s a cold weekend in one of the coldest cities in Northeast China. Just before heading back to Rarotonga from a controversial mission to China, Prime Minister Mark Brown stepped outside to film one of his regular
Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant form China for future grants
Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million (US$2.29 million) from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.
Cook Islands signs partnership deal with China
The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China, a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. Reuters reports that Cook
Cook Islands dicusses deep-sea mining research with China
Cook Islands officials discussed seabed minerals research with China during last week’s mission to Beijing. Cook Islands has licensed three companies to explore the seabed for nodules rich in metals such as nickel
China-backed APT40 hacking group blamed for cyber attacks on Samoa
Samoa’s government has blamed a Chinese state-backed hacking group for a series of sophisticated cyber attacks, saying it has been conducting “malicious cyber operations against government and key critical
Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM Mark Brown, Cook Islands-China deal details to be revealed ‘in the coming days’ – Mark Brown
A vote of no confidence motion has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership
‘Significant concern’: NZ, Cook Islands relationship worsens
The relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands has worsened significantly this week, report New Zealand media outlets. A statement from Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ office said the Cook Islands had
New Zealand chides Cook Islands for ‘lack of transparency’
New Zealand criticised its close Pacific partner the Cook Islands on Wednesday for showing a “lack of transparency”, following reports that it is about to sign a cooperation deal with China. AFP reports that
Albanese wants to “China-proof” the Pacific, but Nauru is driving a hard bargain
The Albanese government hopes to end the year with a major foreign policy victory by signing a landmark pact with Nauru aimed at preventing China from gaining a security foothold in the Pacific. The Sydney Morning
Chinese trade exhibition aimed to strengthen bilateral ties with Fiji
The Chinese Embassy in Fiji hosted its first-ever trade exhibition recently, with the aim of encouraging more Chinese investors to look at business opportunities in Fiji, establish factories, establish channels of
China returns to Pacific with aid and influence push, report shows
China has regained its place as the second-biggest bilateral donor to the Pacific Islands, displacing the United States and targeting its spending to win influence, a Lowy Institute report on aid to the region found.
Palau says China ICBM test a ‘direct threat’, seeks U.S Patriot missile system
Palau’s re-elected President Surangel Whipps said on Tuesday he may ask the United States for a Patriot missile defence system, citing a recent Chinese missile
My missile is bigger than your missile
For the first time in more than 40 years, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has fired an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile across the Pacific, to splash down in waters near French
Pacific island Palau says China is pressing for Taiwan switch
The leader of one of Taiwan’s last diplomatic allies in the Pacific said his nation is under increasing pressure from China to end its support for
China Airlines to resume direct flights between Taipei and Guam
China Airlines, one of Taiwan's largest carriers, will resume its Taipei-Guam service from 27 November to 02 February 2025, with two weekly
Kiribati criticises Beijing missile launch
Kiribati has issued rare criticism of China over last month's launch of an ballistic missile, saying it "does not welcome" Beijing's
Condemnation grows after China fires test rocket into central Pacific
Regional defence leaders are continuing to meet in Auckland as the Pacific faces increased geopolitical
Northern Mariana Islands leaders concerned about China missile test in the Pacific Ocean
The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) leaders are worried about China's recent missile
Opinion: It’s not just police who police
Captured on camera chatting with American diplomat Kurt Campbell in Tonga last month, Anthony Albanese described Pacific leaders’ support for a new Australian-led policing initiative as a big win. “We had a
Pacific Islands Forum tweaks communique after China outburst
The Pacific Islands Forum secretariat has altered the communique from last week’s summit in Tonga to remove an affirming reference to Taiwan, after an outburst from China. In a tumultuous ending to the otherwise
Kiribati ‘feel sorry’ for barring diplomats but it ‘makes sense’, minister says
The head of the Kiribati government delegation at the Pacific leaders’ summit in Tonga has played down the “viral” news of the Micronesian nation closing its border to “diplomatic visits” until the end
China promises to help Fiji tackle climate change as Beijing seeks greater Pacific role
China has pledged to support Fiji’s development in a world beset with “turmoil” and help tackle the impact of climate change during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to Beijing, reports the South China
