PNG Marape details Defence pact with U.S.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape defended in Parliament last week that the PNG and the U.S. Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will help develop and maintain several agreed facilities in Port Moresby, Lae
U.S. military granted unimpeded access to key PNG defence facilities in new security agreement
The United States military has been given “unimpeded access” to key PNG defence facilities, including the joint PNG-Australia Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, as part of a sweeping Defence Cooperation
Solomon Islands and Fiji to enter bilateral security agreement
Solomon Islands will soon engage in a bilateral security agreement with the Republic of Fiji as part of efforts to fill the gaps in its security space. The Framework would allow the country to broaden and enhance its
Severe shortage of PNG health workers
An acute shortage of health professionals in hospitals around Papua New Guinea has prompted the Special Parliamentary Committee on Health Matters to propose an amendment to a law that prevents public servants who
Japan, Australia, U.S to fund undersea cable connection in Micronesia to counter China’s influence
Japan announced Tuesday that it joined the United States and Australia in signing a US$95 million undersea cable project that will connect East Micronesia island nations to improve networks in the Indo-Pacific region
PNG delays bilateral security pact with Australia over sovereignity concerns
A proposed bilateral security treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has been delayed due to Port Moresby's fears the proposed wording encroached on the nation's
Another Chinese research vessel disrespects Palau laws
Another Chinese research vessel, HAIYANG DIZHI LIUHAO entered Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone without permission or notification to the Palau government on 24 May 2023, at around 1:20 pm, disrespecting Palau’s laws
Blinken: U.S. aware of Pacific needs
The United States is aware of the needs of its development partners in the Pacific and will set up embassies in all island nations, says secretary of state Antony Blinken. “Work is being done to ensure that the U.S.
“We are victims of global power play” – PNG PM says Pacific islands will rally behind India
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Monday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Pacific Islands nations consider the Indian premier as the leader of the Global South and will rally behind India’s
India’s PM Modi lands in PNG for Pacific summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for talks with Pacific island leaders, the first visit by an Indian premier as New Delhi seeks to counter China’s growing footprint in the
Samoa sends first team of UN Peacekeepers since COVID lockdown
A 10 member team of Samoan police officers leaves today for training in Jakarta, Indonesia before deployment under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. It is the first team sent for peace keeping duties since the
Micronesia’s new president takes over from Taiwan-leaning predecessor
The Pacific island nation of Micronesia picked Wesley W. Simina as its new president Thursday in a changing of the guard from a predecessor who had warmed up to Taiwan. Nikkei reports that the nation’s congress
U.S. President Biden to sign defence pact in PNG, with eyes on China
U.S. President Joe Biden will sign defence and surveillance agreements with Papua New Guinea, the island nation’s foreign minister said, on a visit that renews the strategic importance of the nation where
U.S. opens Embassy in Tonga in new pushback against China in Pacific
The United States has opened a new Embassy in Tonga, the State Department said on Wednesday, part of efforts to step up the U.S. diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China. The United States
Australia invests to counter China’s influence in the Pacific
Australia will spend almost $2 billion(US$1.3 million) on improving relations with Pacific island nations as it seeks to counter China’s growing influence in the region. As well as spending $1.4 billion(US$947
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
U.S. set to open new embassy in Tonga this month
The United States is on track to open a new embassy in Tonga this month, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday, part of efforts to step up its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China.
PNG hopes to sign defence agreement during Biden visit
Papua New Guinea hopes to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States during President Joe Biden’s stop over in the Pacific island nation this month. Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape
China surprised by Fiji move
China was surprised when the new Fijian Government scrapped the deal between the Chinese police and their own police force. Chinese Government Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Qian Bo told the Samoa Observer
Australia would be smart to recruit soldiers in the Pacific, former Fijian British Army officer explains
Fiji has a track record of service to the British crown. Travel to Hereford, where the Special Air Service is based, and you will find a statue of Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, who was one of the 212 Fijians who joined
Australia to order military build-up in response to China’s growing power
The Australian military will be rapidly transformed to prepare for a possible conflict between China and the United States. An unclassified version of a major defense review published Monday recommends that Australia
Amata co-sponsors legislation to counter Chinese cybersecurity threats
U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the House passage of the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act or HR 1149, which she co-led with sponsor Rep Susan Wild, D-Pennsylvania. Their
In New Caledonia, Australia urges Pacific island unity amid China, U.S competition
Australia’s foreign minister urged Pacific island countries on Thursday to stay united in the face of great power competition as she visited New Caledonia, where the president raised concerns about
