PINA

By Rory Medcalf Like empires past, Xi Jinping’s China seeks three grand prizes in the Pacific: wealth, control and presence. Australia and other Pacific nations have recognised the nature and scope of this neocolonial ambition and the risk it brings; responses have veered from complacency to overreaction, fatalism to alarm. The events of 2022 – especially the controversy over China’s security...

Given the limited number of experienced players in his stock, PNG Hunters head coach Stanley Tepend has no doubt of the team. Even a new kid on the block is put to test but coming on with strong work ethics with core emphasis on communication and team work, surely results will come its way. After asked by media, whether the team...

The Fiji Sports Commission Executive Chair Peter Mazey has decided to call it a day. Mazey confirmed to FBC Sports that he’s stepped down from the role, however, he’s staying on as Acting Chief Executive to help with the transition period. He said he’s been wanting to resign for over one year now as age is catching up with him. The 74-year-old...

Forum priorities on the 2050 Pacific Strategy were reaffirmed in Nuku'alofa between the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna and Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, during his visit last week. This new long-term strategy aims to address present and future challenges faced by Pacific people that was endorsed in July 2022 by Pacific Leaders, at the conclusion of the...

Almost 12 years have passed since the strongest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history resulted in a tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people along its north-east coast. As the country prepares to mark the 11 March anniversary, one of the disaster’s most troubling legacies is about to come into full view with the release of more than 1m tonnes of...

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed it has received police investigation files on former Fiji’s prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and suspended police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho. The investigation file also includes that of former Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Mesake Waqa. A statement from the DPP stated that it received the police docket...

UN member states on Monday launched two weeks of negotiations aimed at finally reaching a treaty meant to protect and preserve vast areas of the world's oceans. After more than 15 years of formal and informal talks, this is the third time in less than a year that negotiators have converged on New York in what, yet again, is supposed...

Fiji's Finance Ministry has warned Government against taking on any more debt in the next two years in light of the debt level expected to increase to around $10 billion (US$5 billion)by the end of July this year. In its Medium Term Fiscal Strategy 2024-2026 tabled in Parliament last week, the ministry said Fiji’s debt level had been exhausted and...

Governments resume negotiations Monday at the United Nations in New York to finalise a new High Seas Treaty to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The two-week Intergovernmental conference is taking place from 20 February to 03 March 2023 and is a resumption of negotiations from August 2022, when governments ran out...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape arrived in Fiji last night for his official visit in the country this week. His visit signifies Fiji and PNG's longstanding cooperation as members of the Pacific family. Prime Minister Marape will be accorded a traditional welcome ceremony this morning and he will pay a courtesy call to the President, Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere...