PINA

Tokelau has a new Ulu-o-Tokelau, or head of government, Kelihiano Kalolo. In a statement, National Public Service general manager Tino Vitale said the general fono chairperson, deputy chairperson and the 28 members of the 12th Government of Tokelau have been sworn in. He said the Ulu, on behalf of the Taupulega, or Council of Elders, tabled the council's decision on ministerial...

By Nic Maclellan Moetai Brotherson of the independence party Tavini Huira’atira no Te Ao Ma’ohi has announced he will run for the Presidency of French Polynesia. The post is currently held by President Edouard Fritch of the Tapura Huira’atira party, who has held office in Tahiti since 2014. Brotherson, who currently represents French Polynesia in the French National Assembly in Paris,...

China has condemned a Japanese plan to release treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, demanding that Tokyo first receive the approval of neighbouring countries. China has made similar complaints on a regular basis in the past, but has not said how it would respond if Japan goes ahead with the planned release. China, which Japan...

The World Bank has disbursed a US$9.5 million (VUV 1.13 billion) grant to support the Government of Vanuatu’s response to Severe Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin, and a 6.5 Mw earthquake in Vanuatu’s north. The emergency funding will provide vital support to the government’s recovery and response efforts following the disasters. The Government of Vanuatu has declared a six-month State of...

Pacific countries have added their voice to a growing chorus of support for the establishment of a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. The latest opportunity to do this was at the resumed First Meeting of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on a Science-Policy Panel for Chemicals, Waste,...

China is engaged in “political warfare” in the Pacific, the outgoing president of the Federated States of Micronesia has alleged in an excoriating letter, accusing Beijing officials of bribing elected officials in Micronesia, and even “direct threats against my personal safety”. Two months before his term as president expires, David Panuelo’s letter alleged China was preparing for conflict over the...

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is contemplating engaging China for cooperation on Security and sign on as its first official development partner. This follows a successful meeting at the Secretariat yesterday between the Chinese Special Envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo and the Director General, Leonard Louma, who described the meeting as satisfactory. “I had a very constructive discussion on...

Japan has begun preparations for Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to visit the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Cook Islands in late March. The visit, expected to take place from 18 to 22 March, comes after China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands last year, prompting concern from the United States and Australia as China seeks to extend its...

AUCKLAND, 13 MARCH 2023 (XINHUA)--- Japan should stop perpetuating nuclear colonialism, and instead respect the sovereignty and self-determination of Pacific nations regarding the planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, a New Zealand sociologist has said. The social aspects and major country relations around Japan's decision to release the radioactive wastewater from the defunct plant...

China has given US$500,000, (VT60 million) to aid recovery efforts in Vanuatu after cyclones Judy and Kevin. Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau received the donation from the Chinese Government Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs, Qian Bo, on Tuesday last week. This contribution is additional to the US$100,000 (over VT10 million) donated by the Chinese Red Cross Society. The Chinese Embassy in...