PINA

The United States wants to expand security cooperation with the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, a U.S official said on Tuesday, amid concerns in Washington about China's motives for striking a security pact with the nearby Solomon Islands. A U.S delegation met PNG Prime Minister James Marape and its defence chiefs last week and plan to hold further...

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama Tuesday received a courtesy call from Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, David Hurley. Prime Minister Bainimarama said that Fiji is proud to host this State visit, the first state visit since the re-opening of Fiji’s international borders, and it reaffirms Fiji-Australia’s strong friendship and Vuvale Partnership. The Prime Minister expressed the Fijian Government’s appreciation to...

The United States will launch a high-level strategic dialogue with Solomon Islands in September to address mutual security concerns and enhance cooperation in public health, finance and other issues. The latest U.S diplomatic push came after the Pacific island nation signed a security deal with China that U.S officials described as a “complete lack of transparency.” “I think it's clear that...

The speculation that China will build a military base in the Solomon Islands is pure disinformation fabricated by a handful of people who harbor ulterior motives, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday. The security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands is based on equality and mutual benefits and it is within the sovereignty of our two countries...

A Papua New Guinea cabinet minister has called on the Australian government to take the findings of a royal commission into the 2014 UBS loan affair seriously and investigate whether local authorities should take any action. Kerenga Kua, PNG’s Petroleum Minister, told the Australian Financial Review that the government was holding a cabinet meeting on Wednesday and would discuss the...

Opinion by Jemima Garrett For many who watched as China expanded its influence in the Pacific, the Labor announcement of an $8 million (US$5.7 million) a year boost to the ABC’s services in the region should it take power will be welcome. The question being, is it too little, too late? Labor’s announcement is short on detail, but the focus of...

The Fijian Drua have sold less than 5000 tickets for their historic first home game in Super Rugby against the Highlanders on Saturday, and chief executive Brian Thorburn may decide to put television coverage of the game on delay on the islands. The Drua host the Highlanders at ANZ Stadium in Suva on Saturday, at a ground that can hold...

Rugby fans in Fiji and beyond will get the chance to hear about the journey of the Fijian Drua from a bright idea to a competitive Super Rugby team at a panel discussion organised by the Australian High Commission and Fijian Media Association (FMA) today at Albert Park. In a first of its kind, Fijian Drua Head Coach, Mick Byrne,...

One of the most senior U.S officials in the Pacific has refused to rule out military action against Solomon Islands if it were to allow China to establish a military base there, saying that the security deal between the countries presented “potential regional security implications” for the U.S and other allies. Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East...

Papua New Guinea Governor General Sir Bob Dadae is expected to announce if the 2022 National General Election will proceed as scheduled or deferred for two weeks. This follows the PNG Electoral Commission’s (PNGEC) official request for the issue of writs date and opening of nominations to be extended from 28 April (this Thursday) to 12 May The request was...