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Nauru

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

Capital

Yaren

Head of State

President David W.R Adeang

Head of Government

President David W.R Adeang

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks at a Pacific Islands Forum meeting in 2024. Photo: AP

Pacific nations

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row with New Zealand over China ties

The result shows that local voters are not as concerned about geopolitical issues as claimed in earlier reports, analysts say.

18 Aug 2026 - 5:32PMvideocam

Pacific nations

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

22 Apr 2026 - 9:37AM

Australia

Australia to send immigrants to Nauru after signing deal, including for funding

30 Aug 2025 - 9:19PM

AIIB

China’s AIIB to double financing with help from private sector

China’s World Bank alternative intends to raise annual financing to US$17 billion by 2030 and work more with private investors under the leadership of incoming President Zou Jiayi.

26 Jun 2025 - 5:00PM

Pacific nations

Australia signs security treaty with China-friendly Nauru

The treaty limits Nauru’s deal-making abilities. Last year, Beijing persuaded the Pacific microstate to sever diplomatic links with Taiwan.

9 Dec 2024 - 3:41PM

Australia

As Chinese banks circle, Australia pushes ANZ to stay in Pacific island nations

For years, Western banks have been closing branches throughout the South Pacific. State-owned Bank of China has shown it’s eager to step in.

12 Nov 2024 - 10:34AM

Banking & finance

AIIB adds new member as development bank embarks on grand global mission

Micronesian island of Nauru named as the 110th member of the Beijing-headquartered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on Thursday.

30 Sep 2024 - 1:27PM

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) president Jin Liqun during its ninth annual conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Photo: AIIB

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

India

India ‘racing’ to get ocean licences to scout for critical minerals used in EVs

India plans to focus on a vast plain between Hawaii and Mexico known to hold large volumes of polymetallic nodules containing minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels.

22 Jul 2024 - 6:00PM

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

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (bottom row, second from left) and other participants of the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Tokyo pose for a photo on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo

Australia

Australia urged to act as refugee health crisis intensifies in Papua New Guinea

A report by an asylum seeker support group found one-fifth of the remaining refugees are “so unwell their lives were at imminent risk”.

20 Jul 2024 - 1:52PMvideocam

A file picture dated March 2014 shows asylum seekers behind a fence at the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea. Australia and PNG agreed to close the detention centre following a decision by the PNG Supreme Court declaring it unconstitutional, but many refugees still remain there. Photo: EPA

Taiwan

US, Taiwan seek to expand island’s ‘meaningful participation’ in international community

At a meeting in Taipei, US officials reaffirm support for Taiwan’s ‘valuable expertise’ in addressing ‘urgent challenges’, as China sends 66 warplanes into the airspace around island.

24 Jun 2024 - 4:58AM

China-Vatican relations

Beijing hopes for better ties as Vatican seeks ‘stable presence in China’

Beijing’s pledge comes after Holy See hosts Shanghai bishop for Concilium Sinense centenary, offers to ‘renew and develop’ 2018 deal on appointing bishops.

22 May 2024 - 8:05PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

My Take | International court prosecutor rises to historic occasion

In applying for arrest warrants for top leaders of Israel and Hamas, Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court has stood up for global justice and international law against the manipulated so-called rules-based order.

21 May 2024 - 9:00PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 24, 2023. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Bill would create US fund for nations facing Beijing ‘coercion’ on Taiwan

‘Taiwan Allies Fund’ would encourage nations that ‘lack the economic or political capability to effectively respond’ to retaliation from China.

11 May 2024 - 4:24AMvideocam

Helicopters fly with Taiwan’s flag on Tuesday, practicing for the presidential inauguration scheduled for May 20. Photo: AP

Australia

Australia boosts aid to Taiwan-ally Tuvalu to counter mainland China’s influence

China’s ambitions for a greater security presence in the Pacific became an election issue in Tuvalu in January.

8 May 2024 - 8:00PMvideocam

Taiwan

‘Vitally important’ US keep status quo on Taiwan policy: senior diplomat

Allies and partners described as more willing and comfortable to stand alongside Washington when they understand stance espouses ‘peace and stability’.

1 May 2024 - 6:50AMvideocam

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

China’s Communist Party

China urges Asian neighbours to take peace and security ‘into their own hands’

Head of country’s legislature says region should resist ‘bloc confrontation’, calls for unity and independence amid ‘serious challenges’.

28 Mar 2024 - 7:13PMvideocam

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

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

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and his Nauru counterpart Lionel Aingimea shake hands after signing the joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru in Beijing on January 24. Photo: AP

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

Taiwan

Taiwan thanks Tuvalu’s new government for retaining diplomatic ties

The small South Pacific state says it will uphold its relationship with Taipei and look at options to make it more durable.

29 Feb 2024 - 6:03PMvideocam

Diplomacy

China ahead of US in global diplomatic presence – but does it mean influence?

Beijing has 274 diplomatic missions around the world, compared with 271 for Washington, a new study has found.

27 Feb 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

A ceremony to mark the opening of the new US embassy in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Photo: US Department of State

Pacific nations

Tuvalu’s Taiwan ties in the balance as Pacific nation gets new PM

The issue of diplomatic recognition is up for debate in the island nation, one of only three remaining Pacific allies of Taiwan. The new prime minister’s position on the subject has not been made public.

26 Feb 2024 - 3:31PMvideocam

Taiwan

Mainland China’s top Taiwan official pledges support for pro-unification forces

Wang Huning, the party’s No 4, tells a conference that officials must ‘advance the process of reunification’ this year.

24 Feb 2024 - 1:29AMvideocam

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

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Nauru

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row with New Zealand over China ties

The result shows that local voters are not as concerned about geopolitical issues as claimed in earlier reports, analysts say.

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

Australia to send immigrants to Nauru after signing deal, including for funding

China’s AIIB to double financing with help from private sector

China’s World Bank alternative intends to raise annual financing to US$17 billion by 2030 and work more with private investors under the leadership of incoming President Zou Jiayi.

Australia signs security treaty with China-friendly Nauru

The treaty limits Nauru’s deal-making abilities. Last year, Beijing persuaded the Pacific microstate to sever diplomatic links with Taiwan.

As Chinese banks circle, Australia pushes ANZ to stay in Pacific island nations

For years, Western banks have been closing branches throughout the South Pacific. State-owned Bank of China has shown it’s eager to step in.

AIIB adds new member as development bank embarks on grand global mission

Micronesian island of Nauru named as the 110th member of the Beijing-headquartered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on Thursday.

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.

India ‘racing’ to get ocean licences to scout for critical minerals used in EVs

India plans to focus on a vast plain between Hawaii and Mexico known to hold large volumes of polymetallic nodules containing minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels.

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.

Australia urged to act as refugee health crisis intensifies in Papua New Guinea

A report by an asylum seeker support group found one-fifth of the remaining refugees are “so unwell their lives were at imminent risk”.

US, Taiwan seek to expand island’s ‘meaningful participation’ in international community

At a meeting in Taipei, US officials reaffirm support for Taiwan’s ‘valuable expertise’ in addressing ‘urgent challenges’, as China sends 66 warplanes into the airspace around island.

Beijing hopes for better ties as Vatican seeks ‘stable presence in China’

Beijing’s pledge comes after Holy See hosts Shanghai bishop for Concilium Sinense centenary, offers to ‘renew and develop’ 2018 deal on appointing bishops.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | International court prosecutor rises to historic occasion

In applying for arrest warrants for top leaders of Israel and Hamas, Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court has stood up for global justice and international law against the manipulated so-called rules-based order.

Bill would create US fund for nations facing Beijing ‘coercion’ on Taiwan

‘Taiwan Allies Fund’ would encourage nations that ‘lack the economic or political capability to effectively respond’ to retaliation from China.

Australia boosts aid to Taiwan-ally Tuvalu to counter mainland China’s influence

China’s ambitions for a greater security presence in the Pacific became an election issue in Tuvalu in January.

‘Vitally important’ US keep status quo on Taiwan policy: senior diplomat

Allies and partners described as more willing and comfortable to stand alongside Washington when they understand stance espouses ‘peace and stability’.

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.

China urges Asian neighbours to take peace and security ‘into their own hands’

Head of country’s legislature says region should resist ‘bloc confrontation’, calls for unity and independence amid ‘serious challenges’.

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 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.

Taiwan thanks Tuvalu’s new government for retaining diplomatic ties

The small South Pacific state says it will uphold its relationship with Taipei and look at options to make it more durable.

China ahead of US in global diplomatic presence – but does it mean influence?

Beijing has 274 diplomatic missions around the world, compared with 271 for Washington, a new study has found.

Tuvalu’s Taiwan ties in the balance as Pacific nation gets new PM

The issue of diplomatic recognition is up for debate in the island nation, one of only three remaining Pacific allies of Taiwan. The new prime minister’s position on the subject has not been made public.

Mainland China’s top Taiwan official pledges support for pro-unification forces

Wang Huning, the party’s No 4, tells a conference that officials must ‘advance the process of reunification’ this year.

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.

My Take | International court prosecutor rises to historic occasion