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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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Solomon Islands cuts ties with Taiwan

(Pacnews) The Solomon Islands Government last night cut off the nation’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan. This came after Cabinet endorsed a Caucus resolution to sever the 36-year-old relationship. The decision came just

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