A Fault Line in the Pacific The Danger of China’s Growing Sway Over Island Nations Foreign Affairs · Jun 3, 2022
'I said no' – Nie's refusal and the troubling question of Pacific slavery in Australia In 1881 Nie (also known as Nai), a Pacific Islander woman, walked off “Virginia” plantation, south of Maryborough, in the colony of Queensland. The Conversation · Jun 2, 2022
What does Beijing and Canberra's relationship tug-of-war in the region mean to Australia's Pacific Islander community? China and Australia's diplomatic visits to the Pacific Islands have dominated headlines this week. Amid all the high-level talks, we asked community members how they feel about the sudden attention and the relationship tug-of-war in the region. ABC News · Jun 2, 2022
Samoa’s PM says China’s expectation of Pacific-wide deal ‘something we could not agree to’ Regional matters must be taken to Pacific Islands Forum, says Fiame Naomi Mata’afa after countries declined deal with Beijing The Guardian - AU · Jun 2, 2022
Penny Wong ramps up Pacific lobbying effort as she flies out to Samoa and Tonga Foreign affairs minister tells regional leaders ‘we understand we need to work together like never before’ as battle for influence with China intensifies The Guardian - AU · Jun 1, 2022
China to continue pushing for Pacific Island nations to sign regional trade and security agreement China's government says it remains confident it can strike a sweeping trade and security agreement with 10 Pacific Island states despite being forced to shelve its proposed agreement, but a new position paper walks back previous references on joint policing, free trade and cybersecurity. ABC News · May 31, 2022
China, Pacific islands fail to reach consensus on security pact Wang Yi urges Pacific region not to be ‘too anxious’ about China’s aims after failing to agree on a security deal. Al Jazeera · May 30, 2022
China eyes security pact in talks with Pacific islands in Fiji China’s top diplomat holds talks with 10 Pacific nations in Fiji to discuss increasing security and economic ties. Al Jazeera · May 30, 2022
Pacific nations walk away from trade and security deal with China as Australia aims to 'build stronger family' Pacific Island countries agree not to sign a region-wide trade and security deal with China as Foreign Minister Penny Wong pledges to build a "stronger Pacific family" through security and defence by bringing "new energy" to the region. ABC News · May 30, 2022
China is willing to work with Pacific Island nations for a 'shared future'- President Xi China will always be a good friend of Pacific Island countries no matter how the international situation changes, China's President Xi Jinping said on Monday in a written address to a meeting of China-Pacific foreign ministers. Reuters · May 30, 2022
China hosts Pacific islands meeting in Fiji, security ties in focus SUVA: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds a meeting with counterparts from 10 Pacific island nations in Fiji on Monday, midway through a diplomatic tour of the region where China's ambitions for wider security ties has caused concern among US allies. Bangkok Post · May 30, 2022
China, Pacific islands unable to reach consensus on regional pact China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday urged the Pacific region not to be "too anxious" about his country's aims after a meeting with his counterparts from 10 island nations deferred consideration of a sweeping trade and security communique. Reuters · May 30, 2022
China's Foreign Minister is about to meet with 10 Pacific nations. The outcome could have big ramifications for Australia China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with his Pacific Island counterparts today in Suva for a crucial virtual meeting that could have big ramifications for Australia and the whole region. ABC News · May 29, 2022
Is this Australia's first meat workers' choir? Pacific Islanders working at a Brisbane abattoir are using singing to keep homesickness at bay. ABC News · May 28, 2022
Reuters · May 28, 2022 China signs deal with Samoa as Australia vows Pacific Islands plan China's foreign minister signed a deal with Samoa on Saturday to strengthen diplomatic relations, while Australia's new leader said he had a "comprehensive plan" for the Pacific, as Beijing and Canberra continued rival campaigns to woo the region.
The Independent UK · May 28, 2022 China's foreign minister visits Samoa on Pacific Island trip China’s foreign minister has met with the leaders of Samoa on the third stop of an island-hopping tour aimed at deepening China’s ties with the Pacific Island nations
Radio France Internationale · May 28, 2022 Growing anti-China alliance in Indo-Pacific a boon for French-Aussie relations Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi is touring eight Pacific island nations as part of a strategy to increase Beijing's clout in the region. The move triggered Western countries to strengthen ties and may re-boot the relationship between France and Australia, still suffering from a submarine deal that went wrong.
Asharq Al-Awsat · May 27, 2022 China Plots Fresh Military Exercises in South China Sea China will hold naval exercises in the South China Sea on Saturday, its maritime authority said, after a week of recrimination from Western powers over its military ambitions across the Pacific region. The exercises, set to take place in the sea less than 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) off the coast…
Al Jazeera · May 27, 2022 China’s Pacific tour spurs hopes and fears in tiny island nations Countries such as Vanuatu and Kiribati expected to seek Wang Yi’s support for development and infrastructure.
Reuters · May 27, 2022 White House welcomes Fiji to its Indo-Pacific economic plan Fiji is joining U.S. President Joe Biden's Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the White House said on Thursday, making it the first Pacific Island country in the plan that is part of a U.S. effort to push back on China's growing regional influence.
Reuters · May 26, 2022 China ForMin hopes relations with Solomon Islands can be model for Pacific islands China hopes relations with the Solomon Islands can be a model for other Pacific Island countries, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Thursday, as he starts a regional tour.
Reuters · May 25, 2022 U.S. concerned China is seeking rushed deals with Pacific island nations The United States is concerned that China is seeking to reach agreements with Pacific island nations in what may be a rushed, non-transparent process, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters on Wednesday.
Reuters · May 25, 2022 Australia foreign minister to visit Fiji amid Chinese counterpart's Pacific tour Australia's new Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would travel to Fiji on Thursday, a trip that will coincide with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's tour of eight Pacific Island countries including Fiji and Solomon Islands.
Reuters · May 25, 2022 China seeks Pacific islands policing, security cooperation - document China will seek a region-wide deal with almost a dozen Pacific island countries covering policing, security and data communication cooperation when Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts a meeting in Fiji next week, documents seen by Reuters show.
ABC News · May 24, 2022 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting multiple nations as Pacific push continues The Chinese government confirms the diplomatic tour will focus on building trust and relationships within the Pacific region.