PINA

China has named a special envoy to fill a new role in its Pacific Islands diplomacy as it competes with the United States for influence in the region. Qian Bo, former China’s ambassador to Fiji since 2018, was appointed as the first special envoy of the Chinese government on Pacific Islands affairs, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced last Wednesday. Wang...

Palau will be the site of a proposed Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner if the Micronesian group’s demand from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is granted. The leaders of Palau, Kiribati, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of the Marshall Islands were in Pohnpei to hold the Micronesian President Summit retreat and in the same meeting, the leaders...

-The Australian government decided to publicly release information about problems with Pacific patrol boats despite a warning from defence officials that this could harm important regional relationships. In previously secret advice, the Department of Defence also raised fears that potential publicity about the problems “may then be exploited by criminal networks or malign actors”. Pacific island countries rely on the Guardian-class...

UN member states are meeting in New York from Monday with the aim of launching a long-berthed high-seas treaty, a crucial step toward the goal of protecting 30 percent of the planet by 2030. After more than 15 years of informal and formal talks, the meeting is the third time in less than a year that negotiators are gathering for...

Fiji's Opposition Leader Voreqe Bainimarama was suspended for three years from Parliament effective Friday for statements he made against the President last Monday. When the motion for his suspension was first introduced by Leader of Government in Parliament Lynda Tabuya, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said while it was “a very serious matter”, he wished the Privileges Committee had put in...

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Carmel Sepuloni will travel to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ retreat. It will be her first opportunity in both roles to meet Pacific leaders face-to-face and discuss regional priorities and issues. “New Zealand is proud to participate in meetings such as the Special Leaders’ Retreat, where we...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand has accepted international help from multiple countries to support its cyclone recovery efforts, announcing that Fiji will be lending a hand in the coming days. At a press conference, Hipkins said the Pacific nation will be sending 10 defence force personnel, four National Fire Authority crew, and four National Disaster Management Office officials. He...

Following the release of the Indo-Pacific Strategy in February 2022, the United States, in coordination with allies and partners, has taken historic strides to advance our common vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. The United States continues to demonstrate U.S. leadership and commitment to the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the region’s capacity and...

A stunning opening goal has seen Papua New Guinea go down to Panama 2-0 in their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Qualifier in Auckland. The OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 champions came up against an unknown quantity in Panama from the CONCACAF federation. The PNG players spoken to in the build up to the game admitted that they only had...

Most of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players stuck to their roles in the last two Super Rugby Pacific warm-up matches against the Rebels and Force. This is the view of Head Coach Mick Byrne who believes the next few days are vital for the side. Byrne said this week is a crucial part of their season because they’ll play their...