PINA

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday met with Nauruan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea, who came to China for the opening ceremony of the Nauru Embassy in China. Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru, both...

In a clear warning to his fellow Pacific Finance Ministers, Tongan Prime Minister and Forum Chair Dr ʻAisake Eke highlighted on Wednesday the rising global uncertainty, fuelled in part by shifting U.S policies under the new Trump administration. As the Pacific islands grapple with economic recovery and climate challenges, the Prime Minister stressed that the stakes have never been higher...

Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia will see notable bumps in Australian foreign aid this year, while analysts say there are some indications that Canberra is stepping in to fill a void left by a U.S freeze on foreign aid. Overall, Australia announced AUD$5.1 billion (US$3.2 billion) for foreign aid in the 2025-26 budget released Tuesday, a 2.7 percent...

A prominent philanthropist and senior fellow at the Centre for American Progress in Washington, has shared insights on shifting national security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific during a presentation on Tuesday, at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Glen Fukushima, a former U.S diplomat, highlighted a need for more policymakers from the islands who have knowledge of the political landscape in...

Australia and Tonga have agreed to an AUD$85 million (TOP$125 million/US$53.55 million) budget support programme over the next four years to support a stronger economy and national budget. This is the largest investment in our partnership’s history. It builds on closer ties developed over recent years and is timely after last week’s National Development Summit. It helps answer the call...

The highly anticipated Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is set to mark the beginning of a new era at the impressive new Kai Tak Stadium from 28-30 March. The fifth round of HSBC SVNS will see the world’s top 12 men’s and women’s teams battling it out in front of an expected record crowd of more than 120,000 fans, as they...

At the opening of the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in Tonga on Wednesday, Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa addressed key global and regional challenges, highlighting the importance of collective action for economic recovery, resilience, and sustainable growth in the Pacific. The meeting, hosted by Tonga, marks a key moment for Pacific countries as they work together to address...

As anticipation builds for the Falepili Union Treaty—a well-considered migration pathway between Tuvalu and Australia—there remains a significant portion of the Tuvaluan population committed to staying in their homeland. It is the responsibility of the Tuvaluan Government to ensure that those who wish to remain are equipped to adapt to climate challenges. This commitment is exemplified by the ongoing development...

Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Lionel Aingimea, and Chinese Ambassador to Nauru, Lyu Jin, officially signed an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption on 22 March. This agreement pertains to citizens who hold specific categories of passports from both China and Nauru. Under this new arrangement, individuals possessing diplomatic and official passports will benefit from visa exemption privileges, which is...

Pacific island nations will get a larger chunk of Australia's foreign aid as spending is refocused after the United States slashed its aid agency. Foreign Minister Penny Wong asked her department to compile a list of aid programmes across the Pacific and Southeast Asia that would be impacted by the Trump administration's gutting of foreign aid. Australia will shift AUD$119 million...