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
French Polynesia
Tahiti warm favourites heading into defence of their OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup title
Tahiti would once again be the team to beat at the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup, kicking off in Honiara
Pacific Island leaders concerned after China launches ballistic missile test
Fiji’s President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, delivered a stinging rebuke to China’s recent ballistic missile test in the
In French Polynesia, boom in whale-based tourism sparks concern
A giant whale stole the show at the Summer Olympic Games, shooting out of the water as athletes competed in women’s surfing semi-finals on the French Pacific island of Tahiti last month. It is for spectacular
French Polynesia hits Paris approach to New Caledonia
French Polynesia says France failed to heed warnings of unrest in New Caledonia and Paris needs to soften its diplomacy in the crisis-hit Pacific territory. The future of New Caledonia is a hot topic at the Pacific
French Polynesian Kauli Vaast win gold at Paris Olympics Teahupo’o surfing
A day etched into Tahitian history thanks to the will and drive of 22-year-old, Kauli Vaast. No longer just a local hero – but as of now, an Olympic surfing champion. The hometown boy carried the dreams of the
French Polynesia’s Marquesas islands join UNESCO’s World Heritage list
French Polynesia’s Marquesas islands are now part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The UN endorsement came as a result of the meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee 46th session in New Delhi,
French surfer Fierro crowned in Tahiti Surf Event ahead of Paris 2024
French Olympic surfer, Vahine Fierro, became the first Frenchwoman to win the women’s Tahiti Pro on the waves of Teahupo’o on Wednesday, just two months before the Olympic surfing events to be held on the French
The complexities of undersea cables
While outside actors may see undersea cable infrastructure through a lens of geopolitical competition, political leaders in the Pacific Islands region are geared towards providing digital connectivity to the islands, an
WHO watches for new covid variants
Three years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been more than 774 million confirmed cases and more than seven million reported deaths globally, according to recent statistics by the World Health
A virtual solution to the environmental controversy of surfing in Tahiti
The International Surfing Association (ISA) has proposed Olympic events without a physical judge tower but with remote judges for the upcoming Olympic Games, aiming to appease local ecological resistance. Back and
No alternative to Olympic surfing in Tahiti, says French minister
France’s Minister for Sport, Amelie Oudea-Castera, on Thursday ruled out the possibility of moving the Olympic surfing events away from Tahiti following the environmental damage caused during testing last week.
French Polynesia tourism arrivals back to pre-Covid levels
French Polynesia’s tourism arrivals have returned to pre-Covid levels, with a specifically high spending by international visitors, latest statistics revealed. Figures for the whole year 2022 show the number of
Moetai Brotherson at the Forum: “We all share this Moana Nui a Hiva”
For Moetai Brotherson, the newly elected President of French Polynesia, this week’s Pacific Islands Forum is a time to share ideas with the leaders of state from neighbouring island nations. “It’s necessary to
Fiji PM announces partnership with Google to establish major cable project
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced the South Pacific Connect Initiative a significant milestone in reducing the digital divide and enhancing the capacity, resilience and reliability of digital
French criticism of nuclear ban treaty highlights Canberra’s dilemma
Can Australia rebuild a strategic military partnership with France at the same time as independence movements claim Pacific support? On 28 September, the Assembly of French Polynesia unanimously passed a resolution
Macron begins Melanesia tour in New Caledonia
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun his five-day visit to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, outlining his “economic, environmental and geopolitical program.” Arriving at Tontouta airport in New
Independence party wins French Polynesia elections
Moetai Brotherson is the new President of French Polynesia, after the stunning electoral victory of the independence party Tavini Huira’atira no Te Ao Mao’hi in elections for the Assembly of French Polynesia. Voters
Four women feature in new French Polynesian government
French Polynesia’s newly-elected president Moetai Brotherson has presented a 10-member government, which includes four women. Brotherson has confirmed his pre-election choice of Eliane Tevahitua as vice-president
India snubs French territories for regional summit
The third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) will be held in Papua New Guinea on 22 May – but the full membership of the Pacific Islands Forum has not been invited. New Caledonia and French Polynesia
The Dixmude visits Suva port
It has been 22 years since France did a circumnavigation training around the world, and yesterday a vessel undertaking this exercise docked at the Suva harbour with the aim of strengthening regional partnerships and
Pro-independence forces win elections on French Polynesia
Pro-independence forces won elections on France’s Pacific territory of French Polynesia, giving them control of affairs on the archipelagos for the next five years and opening the way to a possible referendum on
Moetai Brotherson seeks presidency in French Polynesia
Moetai Brotherson of the independence party Tavini Huira’atira no Te Ao Ma’ohi has announced he will run for the Presidency of French Polynesia. The post is currently held by President Edouard Fritch of the Tapura