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Vanuatu

The United States and Vanuatu established diplomatic relations in 1986, six years after Vanuatu's independence from France and the United Kingdom. The US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is also accredited to Vanuatu. US representation is handled by the US Embassy in Papua New Guinea. Peace Corps maintains a country office in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The United States and Vanuatu share a commitment to strengthening democracy, enhancing security, and promoting development.

Capital

Port Vila

Head of State

President Nikenike Vurobaravu

Head of Government

Prime Minister Bob Loughman

Vanuatu is a prominent offshore financial hub and tax haven. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Vanuatu seeks Hong Kong’s regulatory expertise, woos investors and tourists

Prime Minister Jotham Napat calls visit ‘pivotal moment’ for bilateral relations, as delegation meets senior officials, including Chief Executive John Lee.

28 Jan 2026 - 7:04PM

Australia

Will Australia’s defence pact with Papua New Guinea curb China’s Pacific sway?

2 Oct 2025 - 5:52PM

Vanuatu

Vanuatu seeks Hong Kong’s regulatory expertise, woos investors and tourists

Prime Minister Jotham Napat calls visit ‘pivotal moment’ for bilateral relations, as delegation meets senior officials, including Chief Executive John Lee.

Will Australia’s defence pact with Papua New Guinea curb China’s Pacific sway?

Pacific Islands leaders call for ‘ocean of peace’ but face rough seas at summit

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

Vanuatu looks to Hong Kong to support digital finance, economic plans

‘We have the digital transformation vision and I have got to look at places with experience like Hong Kong,’ Deputy PM Rasou says.

World’s top court just changed the game for climate action

The landmarks ruling holds that countries and big corporations have a legal duty to shield people from environmental harm.

Tiny Pacific nations fear US travel bans. Why?

Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu all appeared on a list of nations facing new visa curbs. A US official says Washington has ‘valid concerns’.

A drop in the ocean? Pacific nations tap local know-how for marine conservation

Among the measures being taken are a ban on fishing and mining activities in vast marine protected areas.

Most Pacific island women don’t work. The World Bank wants to change that

Outdated laws and social norms keep 57 per cent of working-age women across the Pacific out of the labour force, the bank says.

Vanuatu seeks to cancel Andrew Tate’s ‘golden passport’ citizenship

A spokesman for Vanuatu’s government says there is a ‘lapse’ in Tate’s case under the citizenship-for-sale scheme.

Hong Kong charity aims to bring traditional Chinese medicine to African nation

GX Foundation says it is cooperating with Djibouti’s Ministry of Health to introduce traditional Chinese medicines registered in Hong Kong.

Vanuatu golden visas sold in Phuket put citizenship-for-sale risks in spotlight

Officials and analysts warn citizenship-for-sale schemes like Vanuatu’s can be misused to launder money and evade arrest.

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.

Is Australia taking myopic approach in wooing Pacific nations to counter China?

Australia has signed deals with the Solomon Islands, Nauru and Papua New Guinea in moves seen as securing its clout as the Pacific leader.

Opinion | Why Vanuatu should expect more aftershocks – and maybe another earthquake

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Efate, the main island of Vanuatu, earlier this week.

Death toll from Vanuatu earthquake rises to 14, including 2 Chinese

An embassy official said the two Chinese victims were from Fujian province. More than 200 people were injured in the quake.

Buildings ‘pancaked’ in Vanuatu as 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocks Pacific nation

Footage posted on social media showed buckled windows and collapsed concrete pillars on a building hosting foreign missions in the capital.

US, Britain stress unity towards China as new strategic dialogue opens in London

Top diplomats tout allies’ strengthening ties and ‘indispensable’ partnership as Washington vies to blunt Beijing’s Indo-Pacific influence.

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.

Australia urged to cut fossil fuels as Pacific backs landmark policing plan

Activists say better leadership must come from Australia, accused of ‘climate fraud’ over its continued expansion of gas and coal projects.

China, Australia donate buildings, airstrips in Pacific influence race

China donated a presidential building complex in Vanuatu, while Australia and New Zealand inaugurated an airstrip in neighbouring Solomon Islands, amid competition for influence in the Pacific.

Hong Kong’s new cash for residency scheme receives 251 applications by end of May

Government says if all cash for residency applicants approved, Hong Kong stands to get cash injection of more than HK$7.5 billion.

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.

US rejects Chinese envoy’s claim it illegally boarded fishing boats in Pacific

China’s ambassador to New Zealand had called the use of ‘shiprider’ pacts between the US and Vanuatu, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea to ‘carry out law enforcement activities against China’s fishing vessels’ a violation of international law.

Facing oblivion, Pacific nations condemn ‘catastrophic’ Cop28 deal

Pacific nations, especially Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, are among the most vulnerable nations to be nearly entirely inundated by rising sea levels.

Build now, pay later? Debt-ridden Fiji turns to China for port upgrades

Fiji is ‘strategically important’ for Pacific maritime routes, and its deep water port access appeals to Beijing amid stronger competition in the Pacific.

Cracks emerge in Pacific island unity as leaders skip meet amid US-China rivalry

The leaders of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands will not attend this week’s annual Pacific Islands Forum, which also counts Australia and New Zealand among its members.

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.

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