In the midst of neocolonialism – What are the threats to Pacific solidarity?
The state of Pacific island solidarity in the midst of a serious crisis pertaining to climate change and the strategic competition between the United States and China seems to be weak. At a time when solidarity may be
U.S. opens embassy in Solomon Islands
The United States has opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands after a 30-year absence as it seeks to boost diplomatic relations in the Pacific as a counter to China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced plans to
Australia to fast-track purchase of ‘smart sea mines’ to protect maritime routes
Australia will accelerate plans to buy advanced sea mines to protect its maritime routes and ports from “potential aggressors” amid China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. The so-called smart
Australia is finalising a new security pact with PNG
The leaders of Australia and neighboring Papua New Guinea said last Thursday they are finalising a new security treaty — a move that comes as a challenge to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Last year,
Be wary of outsiders, says FSM President Panuelo
One of the Pacific’s top leaders has endorsed Australia’s newly inked security treaty with Vanuatu, warning that the Pacific “family” has to make sure outside forces do not come in and disrupt the peace and
Australian delegation visits the Pacific amid security concerns
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is this week leading a bi-partisan parliamentary delegation to the Pacific to demonstrate Australia’s unwavering commitment to the region amid growing strategic competition.
‘More smoke than fire’: China’s Pacific aid falls short of pledges
Beijing’s development spending has fallen despite efforts to build influence in the region. In 2017, Papua New Guinea’s government announced a long-awaited AUD$4.1bn (US$2.6bn) upgrade of the nation’s potholed
U.S., Japan back Australia’s Digicel Pacific purchase
The U.S. and Japan have announced they will back the Australian government’s unprecedented move to fund Telstra’s purchase of the Pacific’s largest telco, stumping up around $150 million (US$100
U.S. warns China: Attack on Guam ‘will be met with appropriate response’
Declaring China as the United States’ “most consequential strategic competitor” in the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon warned the communist regime of the consequences should it launch any aggression on Guam.
Australia boosts defence, Pacific diplomacy spending in budget
Australia on Tuesday pledged increased defence spending and efforts to firm up diplomatic ties with neighbouring Southeast Asian and Pacific nations as it seeks to counter China’s growing economic and strategic
Collective action is necessary for Pacific security: Sovaleni
Tonga Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni welcomed Tuesday, senior defence delegates from the region to discuss Pacific security challenges and build collective Pacific responses. Attending the 7th South
Opinion: More of the same is not the answer to building influence in the Pacific
Following almost a decade of geopolitically driven “stepping up”, ‘uplifting’, ‘resetting’, and “stepping up across the board”, it appears that Western governments believe more of the same will achieve
Pacific Fusion Centre considers security beyond geo-politics
Since their appointments as Director and Associate Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre last year, James Movick and Anna Naupa have fielded many questions about the role of the Centre: How does it work alongside
Solomons ‘vilified’ since recognising China: Sogavare
The prime minister of the Solomon Islands complained on Friday that his country had been subjected to “a barrage of unwarranted and misplaced criticisms, misinformation and intimidation” since formalising
Exercise Cartwheel: Largest Pacific military exercise in decades
A military exercise in Fiji involving the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand ends this week as the traditional allies counter China’s growing influence in the region. The 11-day Exercise Cartwheel in
Washington and Australia should focus on climate change, says Pacific leaders
Washington should accept Pacific Island priorities for the region, making climate change – not superpower competition – the most urgent security task, the region’s leaders said in Hawaii, ahead of a
PNG negotiates security pact with Australia
Papua New Guinea’s new Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko has revealed his country is moving to negotiate a security treaty with Australia — and potentially New Zealand — in a move that could have far-reaching
Opinion: Solomon Islands, a blueprint to stop a cycle of strife
Allowing more power for the provinces under a decentralised system of governance will be a step towards stability. In November last year, Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara erupted into three days of riots, resulting in
Sogavare govt “furious” over Australian media report
The Solomon Islands government has hauled in Australia’s High Commissioner to complain after the ABC’s Four Corners programme aired an episode exploring how China has been rapidly building commercial and security
Opinion: What the U.S should do in Solomon Islands
American diplomats and dignitaries have assembled in Honiara for the 80th anniversary of the Guadalcanal Landings during World War II (WWII). Recent developments, including the China–Solomon Islands security agreement
U.S. to host Pacific island summit: Sherman
United States President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at the White House in September, a senior American diplomat said on Saturday, deepening a regional charm offensive to counter growing Chinese influence.
No Fiji-China security pact, Rabuka says
People’s Alliance leader hoping to return as Fiji’s prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has ruled out a security pact with China if he wins government, saying it was time his country returned to its “comfortable
U.S. delegation to visit Solomon Islands
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, and U.S. ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, plan to visit the Solomon Islands next month, where their fathers fought in World War Two, and the United States is