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Marshall Islands

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Marshall Islands. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Majuro

Head of State

President Hilda C. Heine

Head of Government

President Hilda C. Heine

A toll booth at the Clark Freeport Zone in the Philippines, a sprawling managed economic zone that has received significant US backing through development initiatives. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

US denies Indo-Pacific retreat, says aid is being recalibrated to counter China

Washington argues that targeted assistance and partnerships will deepen regional ties and deliver longer-term economic and security gains.

16 Dec 2025 - 6:24AM

United States

US sanctions shipping network for smuggling Iran oil

3 Sep 2025 - 2:10AMvideocam

South China Sea

South China Sea: Beijing asserts ‘control measures’ against Philippine ships

22 Aug 2025 - 4:34PMvideocam

Climate change

Opinion | World Court’s ruling opens the door wider for climate justice

The court’s decision could result in legal action against countries that fail to honour their climate commitments.

29 Jul 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

On July 19, children play with swings on an uprooted tree along a beach in Mele, Vanuatu that was once lined with vegetation lost to storms, erosion and other environmental pressures. Photo: AP

US-China trade war

My Take | The United States, not China, turns out to be the real bogeyman

The significance of Trump’s tariffs is that they have destroyed the credibility of America on which its global alliances have long depended.

6 Apr 2025 - 9:00PM

United States

My Take | Donald Trump’s tariff madness targets not only allies but animals

Penguins, seals and seabirds have not been spared in America’s global trade war, likewise territories with significant US or allied military assets.

4 Apr 2025 - 9:00PM

Taiwan

Why the ‘Out of Taiwan’ language theory is a cross-strait battleground

Mainland Chinese academics are countering the hypothesis that the island was the ancestral homeland of the Austronesian peoples.

12 Feb 2025 - 7:08PMvideocam

The Austronesians are a group of ethnic communities spread across a vast region of the world – including Taiwan. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

As No 2 US envoy ends Pacific tour, Beijing scores a diplomatic win on Taiwan

After Beijing envoy demands ‘correction’, Pacific Islands Forum scraps Taiwan reference from its annual summit’s final communique.

1 Sep 2024 - 12:39AMvideocam

Japan

Japan talks with Pacific islands focus on climate, security issues take back seat

Among the areas of concern highlighted by Pacific island nations was Japan’s release of treated radioactive water.

20 Jul 2024 - 1:45PMvideocam

Middle East

US and UK strike Houthi rebel targets in Yemen after ship attacks

The United States and Britain have carried out air strikes on several sites in Yemen in what they said was a bid to degrade Houthi rebels’ ability to conduct attacks on maritime shipping.

31 May 2024 - 2:54PM

A fighter jet being launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in February. File photo: US Navy via Reuters

Australia

My Take | Playing defence Mini-Me for the US will cost Australia dearly

The complaint by Canberra about the latest Chinese military flare-up close to China’s coast is not only hypocritical but highly escalatory.

10 May 2024 - 9:00PM

A Seahawk helicopter prepares to take off from the deck of HMAS Hobart during flying operations while on a regional presence deployment off northern Australia. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Asian nations take steps to cope with geopolitical concern amid US-China rivalry

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at how Asian nations have been making moves with an eye on the ever evolving relationship between China and the United States.

6 May 2024 - 2:00PMvideocam

Pacific nations

Solomon Islands ‘locks in’ China ties with another pro-Beijing prime minister

New prime minister Jeremiah Manele is expected to apply a “lighter touch” to ties with Beijing given the demand for greater transparency.

3 May 2024 - 11:12PMvideocam

Japan

To counter growing Chinese presence, Japan coastguard to train Pacific nations

The Mobile Cooperation Team initiative was first set up in 2017 as part of Tokyo’s efforts to train and equip the coastguards of Southeast Asian nations that felt threatened by China’s presence.

23 Apr 2024 - 1:16PMvideocam

A Japan Coast Guard patrol ship and helicopter take part in a search and rescue mission in November. Photo: Kyodo

Pacific nations

‘Calling for change’: will Solomon Islands lean closer to China after its polls?

Geopolitics looms large over the polls in Solomon Islands, where Beijing and Washington have been vying for influence for years. But for voters just struggling to make ends meet, Wednesday’s election may be decided by issues much closer to home.

17 Apr 2024 - 10:49AMvideocam

An election parade in Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara on Monday. The political climate in the Pacific nation has been fractious in recent years. Photo: AP

US-China relations

A US governor in the Pacific plans ‘lonely’ pivot away from China

Long tied to Beijing for tourism and gambling income, Northern Mariana Islands needs more aid from Washington, says governor.

28 Mar 2024 - 10:41AMvideocam

Defence

US ‘may be sending strong message’ to China with hypersonic missile test

US and China likely to continue developing hypersonic weapons while also improving their defensive capabilities to neutralise these systems: analyst.

22 Mar 2024 - 5:54PMvideocam

Pacific nations

Warily eyeing China’s influence, US talks up US$7.1 billion in Pacific aid

Leaders in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau had warned that delays could have forced their governments to cut services, and swayed public opinion towards offers of investment from China.

20 Mar 2024 - 3:53PMvideocam

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets (from left) Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Jack Ading, Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jnr and Micronesia’s President Wesley Simina (right) in September last year. Photo: AP

US-China relations

US knew Nauru might cut ties to Taiwan before it did, official says

Daniel Kritenbrink, an assistant secretary of state, tells Senate hearing ‘we had known for some time [of Nauru’s concerns] … in this instance, they decided to flip’.

15 Mar 2024 - 7:59AM

Japan

Japan may be making its biggest security move in the Pacific Islands since WWII

Talks on March 19 are expected to involve Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and police taking part in local and regional responses as well as training.

13 Mar 2024 - 2:22PM

Pacific nations

US Senate passes funds for Pacific island nations after congressional delays

Deals for Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, intended to counter China’s influence in the region, win passage as part of appropriations package.

9 Mar 2024 - 9:12AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (centre right) with, from left, Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Jack Ading, Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jnr and Micronesia’s President Wesley Simina, on September 26, 2023, in Washington. The Senate has approved a bill renewing Compacts of Free Association with the three island nations. Photo: AP

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Hong Kong puts shipping industry on greener course

City push for regional green fuel bunkering centre will offer incentives to vessel owners and industry to be more environmentally friendly.

2 Mar 2024 - 6:30AM

Vessels pass Hong Kong’s Tsing Ma Bridge. The city aims to establish a regional green fuel bunkering centre to make shipping more environmentally friendly. Photo: Martin Chan

Pacific nations

House Republicans add Pacific nations deals to bill ‘countering Communist China’

A federal budget impasse has hindered funding for the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau as Beijing deepens ties in the strategically vital region.

1 Mar 2024 - 8:04AMvideocam

Middle East

Attacks on ships and US drones show Houthis can still fight despite US-led strikes

This week, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels seriously damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars.

21 Feb 2024 - 1:09PM

Pacific nations

US’ funding deadlock may pave the way for more Chinese influence in the Pacific

The lack of urgency is causing alarm inside the United States among those hyper-aware of the speed at which China may step in while Congress dawdles over a small sum of money by aid standards.

21 Feb 2024 - 7:38PM

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, (centre right) meets with, from left, Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Jack Ading, Palau’s President Surangel Whipps, Jr., Blinken, and Micronesia’s President Wesley Simina on September 26, 2023, in Washington. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Palau president raises threat of pivot to Beijing if US aid is delayed further

In letter to US senator, President Surangel Whipps Jnr writes that local leaders want to gain more financial aid from Beijing ‘at the cost of shifting alliances, beginning with sacrificing Taiwan’.

16 Feb 2024 - 9:55AMvideocam

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jnr has urged the US Senate to pass aid that had been pledged by US President Joe Biden last year. Photo: AP

Pacific nations

US still seeks delayed Pacific funds amid China push in region: senior diplomat

‘Critically important to continue to work’ in support of Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, all omitted from US$95 billion foreign aid package.

15 Feb 2024 - 7:30AMvideocam

Taiwan election 2024

‘What’s next’ as China’s Pacific island diplomatic wins mount?

After Nauru’s diplomatic switch from Taipei, experts are watching for shifts in regional security, balance of power.

4 Feb 2024 - 4:01PMvideocam

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Marshall Islands

US denies Indo-Pacific retreat, says aid is being recalibrated to counter China

Washington argues that targeted assistance and partnerships will deepen regional ties and deliver longer-term economic and security gains.

US sanctions shipping network for smuggling Iran oil

South China Sea: Beijing asserts ‘control measures’ against Philippine ships

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | World Court’s ruling opens the door wider for climate justice

The court’s decision could result in legal action against countries that fail to honour their climate commitments.

My Take | The United States, not China, turns out to be the real bogeyman

The significance of Trump’s tariffs is that they have destroyed the credibility of America on which its global alliances have long depended.

My Take | Donald Trump’s tariff madness targets not only allies but animals

Penguins, seals and seabirds have not been spared in America’s global trade war, likewise territories with significant US or allied military assets.

Why the ‘Out of Taiwan’ language theory is a cross-strait battleground

Mainland Chinese academics are countering the hypothesis that the island was the ancestral homeland of the Austronesian peoples.

As No 2 US envoy ends Pacific tour, Beijing scores a diplomatic win on Taiwan

After Beijing envoy demands ‘correction’, Pacific Islands Forum scraps Taiwan reference from its annual summit’s final communique.

Japan talks with Pacific islands focus on climate, security issues take back seat

Among the areas of concern highlighted by Pacific island nations was Japan’s release of treated radioactive water.

US and UK strike Houthi rebel targets in Yemen after ship attacks

The United States and Britain have carried out air strikes on several sites in Yemen in what they said was a bid to degrade Houthi rebels’ ability to conduct attacks on maritime shipping.

My Take | Playing defence Mini-Me for the US will cost Australia dearly

The complaint by Canberra about the latest Chinese military flare-up close to China’s coast is not only hypocritical but highly escalatory.

Asian nations take steps to cope with geopolitical concern amid US-China rivalry

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at how Asian nations have been making moves with an eye on the ever evolving relationship between China and the United States.

Solomon Islands ‘locks in’ China ties with another pro-Beijing prime minister

New prime minister Jeremiah Manele is expected to apply a “lighter touch” to ties with Beijing given the demand for greater transparency.

To counter growing Chinese presence, Japan coastguard to train Pacific nations

The Mobile Cooperation Team initiative was first set up in 2017 as part of Tokyo’s efforts to train and equip the coastguards of Southeast Asian nations that felt threatened by China’s presence.

‘Calling for change’: will Solomon Islands lean closer to China after its polls?

Geopolitics looms large over the polls in Solomon Islands, where Beijing and Washington have been vying for influence for years. But for voters just struggling to make ends meet, Wednesday’s election may be decided by issues much closer to home.

A US governor in the Pacific plans ‘lonely’ pivot away from China

Long tied to Beijing for tourism and gambling income, Northern Mariana Islands needs more aid from Washington, says governor.

US ‘may be sending strong message’ to China with hypersonic missile test

US and China likely to continue developing hypersonic weapons while also improving their defensive capabilities to neutralise these systems: analyst.

Warily eyeing China’s influence, US talks up US$7.1 billion in Pacific aid

Leaders in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau had warned that delays could have forced their governments to cut services, and swayed public opinion towards offers of investment from China.

US knew Nauru might cut ties to Taiwan before it did, official says

Daniel Kritenbrink, an assistant secretary of state, tells Senate hearing ‘we had known for some time [of Nauru’s concerns] … in this instance, they decided to flip’.

Japan may be making its biggest security move in the Pacific Islands since WWII

Talks on March 19 are expected to involve Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and police taking part in local and regional responses as well as training.

US Senate passes funds for Pacific island nations after congressional delays

Deals for Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, intended to counter China’s influence in the region, win passage as part of appropriations package.

Editorial | Hong Kong puts shipping industry on greener course

City push for regional green fuel bunkering centre will offer incentives to vessel owners and industry to be more environmentally friendly.

House Republicans add Pacific nations deals to bill ‘countering Communist China’

A federal budget impasse has hindered funding for the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau as Beijing deepens ties in the strategically vital region.

Attacks on ships and US drones show Houthis can still fight despite US-led strikes

This week, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels seriously damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars.

US’ funding deadlock may pave the way for more Chinese influence in the Pacific

The lack of urgency is causing alarm inside the United States among those hyper-aware of the speed at which China may step in while Congress dawdles over a small sum of money by aid standards.

Palau president raises threat of pivot to Beijing if US aid is delayed further

In letter to US senator, President Surangel Whipps Jnr writes that local leaders want to gain more financial aid from Beijing ‘at the cost of shifting alliances, beginning with sacrificing Taiwan’.

US still seeks delayed Pacific funds amid China push in region: senior diplomat

‘Critically important to continue to work’ in support of Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, all omitted from US$95 billion foreign aid package.

‘What’s next’ as China’s Pacific island diplomatic wins mount?

After Nauru’s diplomatic switch from Taipei, experts are watching for shifts in regional security, balance of power.

Opinion | World Court’s ruling opens the door wider for climate justice