Top Chinese diplomat says support of Pacific nations with policing should not alarm Australia
China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, sought to reassure Wednesday that China’s increased involvement in the Pacific, particularly in policing efforts, should not be a cause of alarm for Australia. Xiao,
Solomon Islands reaffirms One China Principle following Taiwan elections result
Solomon Islands reaffirmed its recognition of the One China Principle and that Taiwan is an integral part of the People’s Republic of China’s territory following the outcome of recent elections in Taiwan.
Nauru cuts ties with Taiwan in favour of China
The Government of Nauru has switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. In a statement yesterday, the government announced its allegiance to the “One-China Principle, which recognises the People’s
Samoa wanted Chinese tourists – it got a dreamer and grifters instead
When the first direct tourist flight from China to Samoa landed in the Pacific Island country in late May, it was the culmination of years of effort to tap into the potentially lucrative Chinese market. Top Samoan
China Southern Airlines to make inaugural flight
China Southern Airlines will make its inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Port Moresby in December 2023. Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation and Member for Namatanai Open, Walter D. Schnaubelt said during his
China announces direct flights to Port Moresby
A direct flight between Port Moresby and Guangzhou in southern China will start next month. Deputy director general of the Chinese foreign affairs commission in Guangdong province Cang Feng confirmed this to journalists
Australia has “resettlement edge” over China
In a report on Australia’s security/climate deal with Tuvalu, Indian news agency, Business Standard says Australia has scored a “significant win for influence” in the Pacific Islands region with a “trump card”
China sending more police, donating equipment for Pacific Games
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced that China is sending additional police to the country to help provide security for the Pacific Games. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) on
China’s declining aid to Pacific islands increasingly goes to allies, think tank reports
China’s declining aid to the South Pacific is increasingly targeted toward its political allies in the region as appetite there for Chinese credit declines and competition grows with the U.S. for influence, an
Governor worried about Guam’s security amid burgeoning regional tensions
Investing in Guam infrastructure will boost the island’s resilience amid the growing threats of geopolitical conflicts in which the territory is strategically positioned on the front line, according to Governor Lou
China’s Xi supports stronger international role for Papua New Guinea
China’s President Xi Jinping said the country supports Papua New Guinea in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen ties. Xi made the comments in a meeting with
Chinese premier holds talks with PNG PM Marape
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday held talks with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to
Joint feasibility study set for a possible free trade agreement between PNG and China
A joint feasibility study is set to begin next week for a possible free trade agreement between Papua New Guinea and China. According to The National, International Trade and Investment Richard Maru said the cost of the
PNG eyes China for more ‘cheaper’ loans
Cheaper loans will be a key agenda for PNG officials when Prime Minister James Marape leads a delegation of government and business leaders to China for bilateral talks next week. The Post Courier said Treasurer Ian
Chinese grifters tie up UN, Marshalls in scam
The stakes could scarcely have been higher for Hilda Heine, the former president of the Marshall Islands. For years, her remote archipelago nation of just 40,000 people was best known to the world — if known at all
Chinese scientists point to indigenous knowledge
A group of marine scientists from China have used a high-level forum in Fiji to highlight years of research undertakings in the Pacific and to warn of the urgent need to take climate action, pointing to the value of
China’s Shandong Province expands its footprint to the Pacific
While Japan’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated waters into the Pacific from its Fukushima nuclear plant was drawing flak right across the Pacific, a high-powered delegation of Chinese ocean and marine scientists and
Solomon Islands opposition MP calls for investigation after U.S. cable says ‘replica’ Chinese guns were likely real
The Solomon Islands opposition is calling for an independent investigation into a contentious shipment of “replica weapons” brought into the Pacific Island country by China after publicly released U.S.
2023 Pacific Games Stadium project handover, a testimony of genuine partnership
Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Pacific Games 2023, Manasseh Sogavare has termed as “totally appropriate” the 2023 Pacific Games investment. Sogavare made the statement while
Hainan Airlines to start flying next month to Samoa
A Chinese Airline based in Haikou, Hainan Airlines is expected to recommence its services next month as Samoa’s Civil Aviation Division is finalising the application from the airline to continue direct flights to
Solomon Islands newspaper promised to ‘promote China’ in return for funding: OCCRP
A major newspaper in Solomon Islands received nearly US$140,000 in funding from the Chinese government in return for pledges to “promote the truth about China’s generosity and its true intentions to help develop”
Uludong denies claims on Palau media deal
The publisher of Palau’s Tia Belau newspaper has vehemently denied that a deal with Chinese investors was an “espionage plan… to take over Palau and the rest of the Pacific.” Responding to an article by the
Opinion: Geopolitical competition and Solomon Islands: navigating the middle ground
Geopolitical competition can have adverse impact on third-party countries. We are seeing this in Solomon Islands, where domestic political discourses – at least in Honiara and on social media – are dominated by the
