Tag: South Pacific
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Cook Islands PM Defends China Pact
The Cook Islands' prime minister on Tuesday defended a new partnership pact with China and urged his country not to depend on handouts from "big brother" New Zealand. Prime Minister Mark Brown said the accord signed with Beijing offers his small ...
Cook Islands Signs Deal for Closer Ties With China
The Cook Islands says it has signed a deal to expand relations with China, stressing that the accord does not impinge on ties with former colonial power New Zealand. Prime Minister Mark Brown said he signed an "action plan for the ...
New Zealand Says ‘Blindsided’ by Cook Islands’ China Overture
New Zealand said Friday it had been "blindsided" by the Cook Islands' plans to sign a major agreement with China and issue its own passports. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he had not been consulted on the moves by the Cook ...
Australia Agrees Deal to Strengthen Solomons Police
Australia said Friday it had agreed to boost Solomon Islands' police force with a multi-year funding, training and infrastructure package for the Pacific nation, which has fostered close ties with China. However, as a sign of the competition it faced from ...
Australia to Spend $385 Million on Papua New Guinea Rugby League Team With Eye on China
Australia will spend $385 million to establish a team from Papua New Guinea in its rugby league competition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday, a move designed to help ward off China. Papua New Guinea has long lobbied for a side ...
Australia and Nauru Announce Landmark Security Treaty
Australia and Pacific nation Nauru announced a landmark security treaty on Monday, advancing Canberra's aim of blunting China's growing regional influence. Under the treaty, Nauru must seek Australia's agreement before it inks any other bilateral deals concerning maritime security, defense and ...
Taiwan’s Lai Arrives in Tuvalu to Shore up Pacific Allies
By Akio Wang Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived in the tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu on Wednesday as part of a trip aimed at shoring up international support for Taiwan as China seeks to poach its few remaining allies.
Taiwan’s Lai Kicks off Pacific Tour With U.S. Stop in Hawaii
By Akio Wang Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived Saturday in the United States for the start of a week-long tour in the Pacific that he said would usher in a new era of democracy, but that has sparked fury in Beijing. ...
With an Eye on China, U.S. Moves to Ramp up Military Engagements With Fiji
The United States and Fiji have started work on a key agreement that could see American troops ramp up their presence in the Pacific nation, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said Saturday. Austin is the first sitting U.S. defense secretary to set ...
Palau President Says China Flouting Its Ocean Boundaries
Palau's president has accused China of flouting the Pacific nation's maritime borders, raising concerns about research vessels lurking "uninvited" within its waters. "We keep on raising flags and complaining about it, but they keep on sending them," said President Surangel Whipps ...
Palau’s Pro-U.S. President Faces Election Test
Pacific nation Palau begins voting Tuesday in a presidential election dominated by cost of living worries, China meddling claims, and the expanding military footprint of the United States. The Melanesian microstate of some 20,000 people is one of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic friends ...
Kiribati’s Pro-China President Eyes Third Term
Kiribati's pro-China acting president Taneti Maamau sought a third term in power Friday, as voters chose between three candidates to lead the low-lying Pacific island. Maamau, 64, retained his seat by a landslide in August parliamentary elections that were dominated by ...