Australia considers joint sea patrols, Forum remains silent on China missile tests
AUSTRALIA has not ruled out increased joint patrols of the South China after what it has described as a "destabilising" missile test in the Pacific.
China
Taiwan reassesses PNG gas imports amid diplomatic tensions
TAIWAN is weighing possible economic steps against Papua New Guinea after Port Moresby ordered the closure of Taipei’s representative office, a move that could spill over into LNG trade and deepen an already sensitive
Taipei protests as PNG orders Taiwan office shut
PAPUA New Guinea has ordered the immediate closure of Taiwan’s Economic Office in a move which strengthened Port Moresby’s alignment with Beijing and drew a sharp protest from Taipei.
Solomons, China focus on relations
SOLOMON Islands and China will discuss expanded cooperation this week, a fortnight after Australia signaled its intention to take a greater role in regional defence.
PACNEWS ONE, 14 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Australia’s Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs says China missile test was ‘destabilising’ as Pacific leaders speak out2. UN — UN readies US$100 million as
PACNEWS THREE, 13 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific strategy targets bigger share of Climate finance by 20302. PACIFIC — Tongan PM says China missile test has ‘caused a stir, created tension’3. TUVALU — Tuvalu
Marape calls for the Pacific to remain an Ocean of Peace
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has urged major powers to keep the Pacific out of military rivalry after China fired a
Pacific cannot be treated as a theatre for force – Marshall Islands
THE Republic of the Marshall Islands has sharply condemned China’s reported submarine-launched missile test in the South Pacific, saying the region cannot be treated as a venue for military signalling.
PACNEWS ONE, 08 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Forum Chair Wale protests China’s missile test in the Pacific2. PACIFIC — PNG PM Maape calls on global superpowers to halt missile tests after Chinese launch3. AUST
China missile test not the act of a friend: Solomons
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has condemned China’s ballistic missile test over the Pacific, declaring it was “not the act of a friend.”
Fiji acknowledges China’s advance notice of military activity
FIJI has acknowledged advance notification from China before a missile was fired into the Pacific region on Monday.
PACNEWS THREE 07 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific Elders warn against external influence in regional security2. SOL — Australia chases next Pacific treaty after Fiji win3. PACIFIC — Nuclear-capable missile fired
Albanese says Fiji deal fully budgeted, not aimed at China
AUSTRALIA and Fiji have rejected suggestions their new security and development agreement was designed to shut out China.
Kiribati takes second Brazil jet from China
KIRIBATI has received the second Brazilian-built Embraer-190 aircraft promised by China in 2019 when the small Pacific country
Pacific security race heats up as Australia and China court Vanuatu
CHINA has pushed back against Australia’s new security pact with Vanuatu, warning that bilateral agreements in the Pacific should not be aimed at third countries.
China boosts Pacific Forum with $1.08M
CHINA has reaffirmed its support for Pacific regional cooperation, contributing $FJD2.4 million to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) for priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
China pushes Pacific presence
CHINA has started to increase its Pacific presence using a two-pronged approach – subtle and openly obvious.Last week, Vice-Governor
PACNEWS ONE, 26 JUNE 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Australia says China seeking permanent security presence in Pacific2. SOL — Solomon Islands urged to act Now as ‘Super El Niño’ threat looms3. PACIFIC — NOAA
PACNEWS THREE, 05 JUNE 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Australia says China seeking permanent security presence in Pacific2. SOL — Solomon Islands urged to act Now as ‘Super El Niño’ threat looms3. PACIFIC — NOAA
Vanuatu, Australia to sign strategic pacts
VANUATU will formally sign two major cooperation agreements with Australia and China following months of renegotiation over
Senators unhappy with Trump’s wasted China opportunities
A GROUP of United States senators has described President Donald Trump’s recent visit to China as a failure to advance US
Vanuatu rejects China security suggestions
VANUATU’S Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, has refuted reports that his country is about to sign a security agreement with
China’s grip grows on fragile Solomon Islands’ media
SINCE the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations with China in 2019, the Pacific archipelago has
