Niue

China’s Pacific aid mostly goes to its allies, Australian think tank says

31 Oct 2023 - 4:20PM

United States

My Take | What independence really means for two tiny Pacific island states

29 Sep 2023 - 9:00PM

China-friendly Solomons PM says he snubbed US summit to avoid ‘lecture’

Manasseh Sogavare said he attended a similar meeting last year where ‘they give you three minutes to talk and then you go and listen to them lecture you about how good they are’

28 Sep 2023 - 9:17AM

US President Joe Biden poses with leaders from the Pacific island nations during a summit in Washington on September 25. Photo: AP

My Take

My Take | Why Beijing’s security pact with Solomons has been a huge blunder

Islands provide perfect example of ‘China threat’ for US and its allies as they then turn central and south Pacific into their sphere of influence.

27 Sep 2023 - 9:00PM

Biden unveils Pacific nations aid, embassies as Solomons PM sits out

American leader extols ‘security, prosperity and dignity’ for Oceanic allies and partners in latest response to China’s decades-long inroads in region.

26 Sep 2023 - 6:25AM

My Take | Claims by US over central Pacific now rival those of Beijing in South China Sea

Washington’s new pacts with three island states will establish a second island chain of attack as a complete sphere of influence in breach of international law and its own interpretation of freedom of navigation.

25 Sep 2023 - 9:00PM

This photo taken on September 20, 2023 shows a Chinese coast guard ship (back) shadowing Philippine fishing boats anchored near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Tiny Cook Islands, Niue to get US embassies amid Biden’s powered-up Pacific push

Fewer than 2,000 people call isolated Niue home, while the Cook Islands have a permanent population well under 20,000. Biden has put a premium on improving Pacific ties amid rising US concern about China’s influence.

25 Sep 2023 - 6:53PMvideocam

US ‘back in force’ in Pacific as Biden engages with regional leaders at summit

The White House is hosting Pacific island leaders on Monday as Biden promises to take US engagement in region to ‘next level’ but there are notable absences from the meeting.

25 Sep 2023 - 3:26AMvideocam

South Korea

South Korea’s ‘pro-US’ Pacific tilt triggers alarm, warnings in China

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Pacific overtures reflect his desire for South Korea to become a ‘global pivotal state’ with a ‘bold’ foreign policy – but could it turn into a ‘nightmare’?

17 Jun 2023 - 9:30AMvideocam

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South Korea

South Korea hosts its first summit with Pacific island leaders amid China concerns

President Yoon Suk Yeol Yoon launched his strategy last year, pledging to foster a ‘free, peaceful and prosperous’ region amid concerns about China’s security ambitions for the strategic waters.

29 May 2023 - 8:26PM

South Korea and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders and senior officials attend the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit at the Blue House, in Seoul. Photo: AP

Tourism

The world’s 10 least-visited countries: from Montserrat to Micronesia

Some might pause at the prospect of going to one of the world’s least-visited countries, but these 10 mostly island nations each have their own wonders and are well worth the effort of getting there.

29 May 2023 - 12:27PM

India

Can India be ‘Global South champion’ amid US-China rivalry in the Pacific?

Narendra Modi says India will be a reliable partner, as New Delhi banks on goodwill from historical links with Pacific nations to make further inroads into the region.

24 May 2023 - 10:39AMvideocam

As US Congress debates budget, Pacific island nations watch with concern

US President Joe Biden has pledged generous funding for tuna treaty and other regional initiatives in a bid to offset China’s growing influence, but Republicans seek cuts in foreign aid.

26 Apr 2023 - 1:38AMvideocam

US President Joe Biden, centre, and Pacific Island leaders during the US-Pacific Island Country Summit at the White House on September 29, 2022. Photo: UPI/Bloomberg

Pacific region lags in LGBTQ rights despite Cook Islands ending gay sex ban

The Cook Islands follows other Pacific Island nations in wiping colonial-era sodomy laws from the statutes, beginning with the Marshall Islands in 2005.

25 Apr 2023 - 5:43AMvideocam

A rainbow flag flies outside a restaurant in the Cook Islands. Lawmakers in the tiny island nation of 15,000 people passed a bill on April 14 to decriminalise same-sex sexual relations. Photo: Facebook/Pride Cook Islands

China trade

No longer ‘hole of Asia-Pacific doughnut’, South Pacific eyes China trade deal

Talks are being explored as the South Pacific is no longer regarded as the ‘hole of the Asia-Pacific doughnut’, and China is looking to cement an economic foothold in the region.

16 Mar 2023 - 7:57AMvideocam

US moves to reopen Solomon Islands embassy to counter China

It will initially be staffed by 2 American diplomats at 5 local employees at a cost of US$1.8 million, with plans for an expanded facility in the future.

5 Jan 2023 - 4:11AMvideocam

Hong Kong Sevens

Surprise package Samoa storm into Sevens quarter-finals

A scare from Hong Kong but unbeaten islanders march on as they look for their first title since 2010, and ‘it’s all about momentum’ says coach Brian Lima.

5 Nov 2022 - 10:25PM

Vaa Apelu Maliko of Samoa in action against Australia on day 2 at the 2022 Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Extreme fitness

Trail runners accuse government of dodging questions on Covid-19 restrictions

Trail Runners Association of Hong Kong sends follow-up letter to Health Secretary after response that ‘does not acknowledge any of the issues’ facing the sport.

20 Oct 2022 - 7:23PM

US boosts Pacific climate aid, but defence and China remain ‘sensitive’ topics

Last month, the US released its first strategy for ties with Pacific Island nations, pledging to help them fight climate change and rebuff what it called China’s “economic coercion”.

11 Oct 2022 - 8:45PMvideocam

US seeks to reassure Pacific island nations with US$810 million package

Aid plan is unveiled during a two-day summit and includes funding initiatives already in the pipeline and a global infrastructure and investment scheme.

30 Sep 2022 - 4:35AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken looks on as President Joe Biden addresses the US-Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Sevens

Australia claim first World Rugby Sevens crown after beating Samoa

Aussies will title for first time after finishing third at season-ending tournament in Los Angeles.

29 Aug 2022 - 3:52PM

Australia’s rugby 7s team celebrates winning the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series Championship. Photo: AFP

United States

More than just tuna: US casts a wider net to compete with China in the Pacific

The US is renegotiating the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, a centrepiece of its relationship with 16 Pacific nations and territories.

21 Jul 2022 - 11:03PM

China responds to Pacific island rejection with paper on ‘mutual respect’

Pacific nations failed to reach consensus on a Chinese deal that reportedly included cooperation in law enforcement and cybersecurity, an aspect not mentioned in China’s position paper.

31 May 2022 - 8:00PMvideocam

Wang Yi tells Pacific nation the US is hindering Chinese development

Wang Yi declares to Kiribati president that China is willing to work with developing nations to eliminate injustice.

27 May 2022 - 8:02PMvideocam

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare meets China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Honiara, Solomon Islands on May 26, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

Wang points to Solomons as ‘model for mutual trust’ at start of tour

Chinese foreign minister is on a 10-day trip aimed at expanding Beijing’s military, economic and diplomatic ties in the Pacific.

26 May 2022 - 7:00PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in Honiara early on Thursday at the start of an eight-nation tour. Photo: AP