PINA

The United States has been working to help Taiwan consolidate its formal diplomatic ties with countries in the Pacific island region and prevent them from being poached by China, according to a top State Department official. “We work very carefully and closely with them to make sure their needs are met. And we try to close off any opportunities that...

The Cook Islands High Court has found that the country's immigration law that offers preferential treatment to New Zealand citizens over those from other nations is “invalid”. New Zealand passport holders only need to wait five years to apply for permanent residency under the current rules while all nationals with other citizenship need to wait a minimum of 10 years....

Tuvalu’s new prime minister, Feleti Teo, wants “guarantees” from Canberra that a landmark treaty with Australia will not undermine his country’s sovereignty. Teo, who was appointed leader last month, told the Guardian a controversial security clause in the Falepili Union treaty has led to fears among Tuvaluans that Australia “might encroach on Tuvalu’s sovereignty”. The treaty, signed in late 2023, states...

Fiji will uphold a policing cooperation agreement with China after reviewing the deal, the country’s home affairs minister, Pio Tikoduadua, has confirmed, despite earlier concerns within the Pacific nation over the deal. The controversial agreement was signed in 2011 when Fiji was under military rule. Under the deal, Fijian officers have been trained in China while Chinese police have been...

U.S deputy secretary of State Kurt Campbell has met with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Friday. The deputy secretary highlighted the growing partnership between the countries this last year due to the United States’ official recognition of the Cook Islands. Campbell also highlighted how the work of the Partners in the Blue Pacific aligns with the Pacific Islands 2050 Strategy...

The Japanese Defence Ministry said Friday that it will host a meeting of defence representatives from Japan and Pacific island countries in Tokyo over two days from Tuesday. It is the second meeting under the framework after an online meeting in September 2021 and the first to be held in person. Participants will aim to strengthen their cooperation to promote a...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on correspondent banking relationships with the United States Department of the Treasury (U.S Treasury). This historic agreement marks a significant milestone in enhancing financial cooperation and collaboration between the PIFS and the U.S Treasury and is a key bridge towards an inaugural Pacific Banking forum planned...

By harnessing human, environmental and resource security, Canberra can counter Beijing’s coercive tactics in the region. By Thomas Lonergan During the summer political slumber, Australian Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh indicated that Canberra was considering permitting recruitment from Pacific Island Countries (PIC) as a partial solution to worsening Australian Defence Force (ADF) recruitment and retention trends. The implied logic is that Pacific...

The brave Queensland Reds dug deep before bowing 32-21 to the two-time champions from Fiji when Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s launched at Ballymore Stadium Sunday. An enthusiastic crowd roared for the plucky Reds when back-to-back fightback tries within five minutes closed the scores to 22-21 just past the hour mark. The Fijian Drua were bigger across the park yet it didn’t...

Moana Pasifika have held on for a 22-14 win over the Western Force at HBF Park. It's their first win over the WA-based franchise and their second of the season, improving on their tally from last year. Kyren Taumoefolau extended the lead shortly afterwards before the hosts tried to mount a comeback. However, they struggled for discipline and execution, allowing the visitors...