PINA

China and Papua New Guinea held talks on a free-trade deal Friday, as Beijing's foreign minister wrapped up a landmark tour of the Pacific Islands with a stop in the resource-rich nation. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape said discussions in the capital Port Moresby had focused on economic cooperation and a long-mooted trade agreement. China is already a major...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he will “engage” with East Timor, after the South-East Asian nation agreed to sign a slew of new agreements with Beijing across areas including healthcare and economic co-operation. On Friday, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi travelled to Dili where he was expected to sign off on the deals. Albanese, travel to Jakarta on Sunday...

New Zealand’s foreign minister has defended herself against accusations of complacency in the wake of China’s dramatic push for greater influence in the Pacific region, saying New Zealand does “not need to be reactive to any other agenda from any other country”. In the immediate aftermath of China’s attempt to sign 10 Pacific Island countries up to a sweeping regional...

Pacific World Trade Organisation (WTO) member nations have set their priorities and positions for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), scheduled to take place from 12-15 June 2022, in Switzerland. The 02 June virtual meeting, chaired by Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Fiji Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, considered key issues for Pacific WTO Members, including a Pacific Ministerial Group...

On the occasion of World Environment Day 2022, whose theme is “Only One Earth”, the Pacific Community (SPC) reaffirms its commitment to leveraging science, technical expertise and partnerships to enhance the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for sustainable development. Now more than ever, it is time to put nature at the heart development and NbS can help to create...

“This planet is our only home”, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for World Environment Day on Sunday, warning that the Earth’s natural systems “cannot keep up with our demands”. “It is vital we safeguard the health of its atmosphere, the richness and diversity of life on Earth, its ecosystems and its finite resources. But we are failing to...

Fiji Rugby has today announced a powerful 34-member squad for the upcoming World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) featuring the Flying Fijians, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A. The squad includes 16 players from the Fijian Drua, who will feature alongside other Super Rugby Pacific and Europe-based stars for their country. Ten potential debutants have forced their way into the squad; among...

Wayne Bennett is set to join the Mate Ma'a Tonga coaching staff for the upcoming Test against New Zealand at Mt Smart Stadium on 25 June. Bennett, who will next year return to the NRL coaching ranks with the new Dolphins franchise, will act as a coaching advisor to Dean Young, who will deputise for Tonga mentor Kristian Woolf. With Woolf...

Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II will not attend a church service to mark her Platinum Jubilee after experiencing “discomfort” at events on Thursday. The palace says that with “great reluctance” the 96-year-old monarch has decided to skip Friday’s service at St Paul’s Cathedral. The palace says “the queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort.” Britain...

Tonga’s qualification battle for a place at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will continue at Sunshine Coast Stadium next month with the Asia/Pacific Play off. Kicking off on July 23, Tonga will face the Asia Champion with the winner of the match to secure qualification at Rugby’s biggest event next year in Pool B where they will face Scotland,...