PINA

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton has issued a warning as tensions with China increase. Last week a controversial security pact was signed by the Solomon Islands and China despite major efforts to stop the deal. There are fears the agreement could see China establish a military presence in the South Pacific island nation. “The only way that you can preserve peace is...

Papua New Guinea's 10th Parliament of 2017-2022 reached the end of road Friday with Members of Parliament now heading into campaign mode to seek re-election. The last day was a 12-hour marathon session which ended at around 10pm after which time MPs departed the Chamber, some for the last time. A number of bills and speeches were presented and final “thank...

Senior Solomon Islands scholar Dr Transform Aqorau says the China/Solomon Islands Security Treaty had lots of escape clauses that will become a problem for Solomon Islanders. He made the statement at a webinar organised by Centre for Pacific Islands Studies “China-Solomon Islands Security Agreement and Blue Pacific (In) Securities” Dr Aqorau said there are missing pieces in the process leading up...

The Biden administration on Friday warned the Solomon Islands that the United States will take unspecified action against the South Pacific nation should its recently concluded cooperation agreement with China pose a threat to U.S or allied interests. The White House said the message was delivered directly to the country’s leadership by a visiting senior U.S delegation. The delegation expressed concern...

Japan is keeping a close eye on China's behaviour concerning Pacific island nations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday after meeting with his Tuvalu counterpart. The recent signing of a security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands has sparked regional concerns about Beijing's outreach, as the agreement reportedly enables Chinese troops to be deployed to the Pacific nation. “We exchanged...

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says China building a military base on Solomon Islands would be the "red line" for Australia and the United States, but did not say how Australia would respond if it happened. There are concerns about a recently signed security agreement between China and Solomon Islands and what it could mean for Australia and other pacific...

Cook Islands has announced its first death from Covid-19 on Sunday, over two years since the pandemic began. The country had long been free from the virus, but it opened to quarantine-free travel with New Zealand in January, and an outbreak of Omicron followed in Rarotonga in February. The person who died with Covid-19 was a 63-year-old woman from Aitutaki. “It is...

The first-ever State visit from the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, David Hurley, to Fiji this week will be a landmark achievement in the Fiji–Australia Vuvale Partnership. The last visit by a Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia was in 1993. This State visit reinforces Fiji and Australia’s commitment to regional solidarity and will unfold new opportunities for engagements in...

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has announced that Rashmi Aslam has been appointed as it’s Commissioner with effect from 18 April 2022. The appointment was made by the President, Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere in accordance to Chapter 5 Part B Section 115 (2) & (12) of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji 2013. Such appointment is a historic...

Last November more than 2,000 people arrived on Temae beach, the heart of Mo’orea island in French Polynesia. The gathering was a traditional cultural ceremony called a tahei, which saw people tie braided ti leaf cords together in a symbol of peace. The purpose was to raise awareness of the growing number of developments by a number of different groups...