PINA

China will “fill the gap” in Solomon Islands’ troubled budget, after Australia and other traditional development partners suddenly withdrew millions of dollars in promised funding, the country’s prime minister has claimed. While the Albanese government immediately denied the claim, Manasseh Sogavare again condemned Australia and the U.S for criticising his country’s policing pact with China, saying while Australian and other...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, James Marape, announced Monday that French President, Emmanuel Macron, will undertake a one-day visit to Papua New Guinea on Friday, 28 July 2023. Prime Minister Marape extended the invitation to President Macron during a meeting held in Port Moresby on 05 June 2023, with Walid Fouque, Special Advisor for Asia and...

French President Emmanuel Macron travels to the southwest Pacific next week offering a "French alternative" to a region marked by rising China-U.S tensions, his office said Monday. Macron's trip starts in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory that is bitterly divided after three successive referendums rejected independence from France. He is then to travel on to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea,...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare does not confirm whether more than $1.3 million (US$162,879) was used to fund his recent trip to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Prime Minister Sogavare rather stated that the cost of the government’s trip to PRC is a ‘drop in the ocean’ when compared to the benefits that the country will be receiving...

The government of Taiwan reaffirmed its commitment to the Pacific when it handed over US$2 million of cooperation agreement funds for the years 2022 and 2023 to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Representative of the Trade Office of Taiwan/Republic of China, Joseph Chow said at the handover that, “The ceremony reaffirms Taiwan's unwavering dedication to the progress of Pacific...

Flying Fijians centre Setareki Tamanivalu has sounded the rallying cry, acknowledging the Tongans’ physical prowess and warning against underestimating their opponents. The two sides will clash this weekend in their Pacific Battle in Lautoka this Saturday. Having witnessed Tonga’s awe-inspiring performance against Australia A, Tamanivalu said they are aware of the immense challenge that lies ahead. Tonga demonstrated unwavering resilience, showcasing their...

Two more gold medals have been claimed by Samoa's champion weightlifting team at the Commonwealth Championship in Delhi in India. Sanele Mao claimed the other gold in the Men's 109 +kg division while powerhouse woman lifter Iuniarra Sipaia claimed the other. The latest additions mean Team Samoa has now claimed four golds at the championship. Coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork told the...

Weighting Fiji has managed to win another two medals at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Delhi, India. Leyna-May Domonatani won a gold and bronze medal Monday. Fiji weightlifiting coach Henry Elder says Domonatani claimed gold in the junior event and bronze in the senior division. Fiji won its first gold medal through Taniela Rainibogi. Rainibogi snatched 163kg and 200kg in the clean and...

New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins has said that the Pacific region is becoming “more contested, less predictable, and less secure” as China becomes more assertive. Hipkins said it was important that New Zealand continues to engage with China to listen and to build dialogue. “Our region is becoming more contested, less predictable, and less secure,” Hipkins said in a speech...

Australia has welcomed the final report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Japan’s proposed release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The IAEA has found release of the treated water would be consistent with internationally accepted safety standards which ensure the protection of people and the environment. “The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency...