Taiwan affirms close relations with Tuvalu
Taiwan maintains deep ties with Tuvalu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said, amid reports the Pacific Island nation may switch recognition to Beijing. Tuvalu Ambassador to Taiwan, Bikenibeu Paeniu recently told
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.
Taiwan congratulates Hilda Heine as RMI new President
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has extended Taipei’s congratulations to new Marshall Islands’ President, Hilda Heine. Heine assumed the presidency following a vote among newly sworn-in legislators
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
Heine elected as Marshall Islands President
Marshall Islands has elected its 10th President, Dr Hilda Heine. Dr Heine received 17 votes when the Marshall Islands Nitijela voted yesterday, just one more than outgoing President, David Kabua. It is Dr Heine’s
China practices attacking Taiwan and Pacific, a worrying development
China’s newest aircraft carrier has for the first time practiced attacking Taiwan from the island’s east coast, demonstrating Beijing’s growing determination to project power beyond the Taiwan Strait and far into
OEK joint to loan US$20 million approved in Palau
Palau Senate passed a joint resolution authorising President Whipps to execute a loan agreement between the Republic of Palau and Mega International Commercial Bank Co. Ltd. of Taiwan of up to US$20 million to fund
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kabua to meet President Tsai this week
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kitlang Kabua is slated to visit Taiwan on Wednesday for a week-long trip. Her delegation consists of government officials including Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Anjanette
Outgoing FSM president urged to reconsider diplomatic shift to Taiwan
Seeking to retain the status quo on the Federated States Micronesia’s (FSM) diplomatic relations with China, the FSM Congress weighed in on a resolution urging outgoing President David Panuelo to suspend his plan to
Taiwan gets back ‘Republic of China’ office name from Fiji
Taiwan’s government expressed its gratitude to Fiji on Tuesday for reinstating the old name of its representative office there, which includes the “Republic of China (ROC)” — Taiwan’s official
Palau: More flights announced, Taiwan to assist tourism promotions
More flights to Palau are coming this November, with United Airlines (UA) adding two more flights a week, revealed Peter Polloi, Director General of Civil Aviation at Palau National Aviation Administration. UA’s
Tuvalu Foreign Minister cancels conference trip due to China protest
Tuvalu’s foreign minister landed in Brisbane on Monday after withdrawing from an international forum in protest against alleged Chinese coercion. Simon Kofe was due to arrive in Portugal for the UN’s Ocean
Niue concerned over grounded Taiwanese ship
The Niue government is remaining tight lipped over the Taiwanese fishing vessel that ran aground on a Niue reef last week. Radio New Zealand has spoken about the incident with a government official who would like remain
Kiribati cancer patient returns home as border reopen
A Kiribati teenager has safely returned to his home country on Monday after being stranded in Taiwan for over two and a half years due to strict COVID-19 border controls, the Taipei-based MacKay Memorial Hospital said.
Palau welcomes tourists, Cook Is still waiting
Quarantine free trouble has begun between Palau and Taiwan with the arrival of Palau’s first inbound tourism flight since March last year. Palau’s President, Surangel Whipps, Jr. returned to Palau from Taiwan on
Palau’s new President takes a strong stance vs China
China has emerged as one of the key players in the Pacific region and at the changing of the guard of Palau’s leadership in January, new President, Surangel Whipps Jr. was expected to concentrate on the pandemic
Australia, China and other aid donors must realise there’s a better way to help the Pacific
Covid-19 has only catalysed the growing geopolitical interest in the Pacific Islands. Donors have been tripping over each other to prepare for an outbreak of the virus. But, at the same time, this has only exacerbated
Undiplomatic diplomats
Around the kava bowl in Suva, people were discussing some undiplomatic behaviour by Chinese diplomats last month. Then for day or two, reports that Chinese officials had intervened at a Taiwanese National Day ceremony
Kiribati: Maamau promised a cash windfall and won
Kiribati gave Taneti Maamau a resounding victory at the island nation’s presidential poll on 22 June, rewarding him with a second and final four-year term. As the ruling Tobwaan Kiribati Party (TKP) leader, Maamau
Kiribati President Maamau easily retains seat
Closed behind their borders amid fears of the Covid-19 virus, electors in Kiribati turned out in two rounds to elect members of the twelfth parliament, the Mwaneaba ni Maungatabu, paving the way for a certain battle
Pacific predictions: 2020
As we enter not only a new year but a new decade, there is much to anticipate in the Pacific islands region. Elections and domestic politics A number of countries in the region will have elections during 2020: Kiribati,