Politics

French defense minister Sebastien Lecornu plans to meet with Pacific counterparts in December.
Indo-Pacific

France to host defense meeting with Pacific island nations

Paris seeks to increase engagement in region as U.S.-China alternative

5 October 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, center, poses with Pacific island leaders at the White House in September 2022.
International relations

Marshall Islands set to renew security compact with U.S.

Washington ramps up engagement with Pacific islands with eye on Beijing

29 September 2023
Palau has asked the U.S. to deploy Patriot surface-to-air missile defense systems like these in eastern Romania on the Pacific island. (Inquam Photos/George Calin via Reuters)
Defense

U.S. weighs stationing Patriot air defense systems in Palau

Island's president calls for 'peace through strength' as China tensions mount

25 September 2023
While global leaders make the trek to Port Moresby to court PNG's leader, rising debt, inflation and sluggish growth could derail Prime Minister James Marape's plan to make his country the world's "richest Black Christian nation."
Asia Insight

Papua New Guinea's Marape: Pacific power broker or PM in peril?

Amid U.S.-China balancing act, PNG leader faces mounting pressure at home

22 August 2023
Workers load grain at a port in Izmail, Ukraine, on April 26, before Russia pulled out of the Black Sea shipment deal.
Interview

Russia grain deal exit hurting 345m vulnerable people: WFP chief

Cindy McCain warns of climate risks to food supplies during Pacific visit

16 August 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron in Port Moresby on July 28: Macron chose not to visit any major partner like Australia on his Pacific tour, prioritizing smaller actors. (Sipa via AP)
Opinion

Macron is not giving up France's role as a Pacific player

President offers 'alternative' for states squeezed between U.S. and China

4 August 2023
Australian and U.S. navy ships sail in the South China Sea. The new security pact between Australia and Papua New Guinea could allow for closer trilateral cooperation.
Indo-Pacific

Australia-Papua New Guinea security pact delayed on sovereignty debate

Concerns rise in Pacific nation following similar agreement with U.S.

28 July 2023
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape speak to reporters in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby on July 27. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. to deploy coast guard ship to Papua New Guinea next month

Defense chief Austin vows to deepen bilateral cooperation with eye on China

27 July 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with then-Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby in 2018. 
International relations

China woos Papua New Guinea with free trade push

Beijing leverages frustrations over economic ties with U.S., Australia

12 July 2023
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, pictured in 2019.
International relations

Solomon Islands leader visits China with focus on infrastructure

PM Sogavare pledges to "remain neutral" amid China-U.S. competition

9 July 2023
The Solomon Islands established formal diplomatic relations with China in 2019 after cutting ties with Taiwan.
International relations

Solomon Islands grapples with disinformation as China stands to gain

Nikkei analysis hints at Beijing's influence through social media

28 June 2023
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. says one of the biggest threats to his country is rising sea levels caused by climate change (Photo by Kohei Fujimura) 
Interview

Palau leader calls on U.S. for help over Chinese ships in its waters

Pacific island nation's president says he won't cut Taiwan ties despite tensions

15 June 2023
Fijian Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua speaks to Nikkei Asia in Singapore on June 4. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
International relations

Fiji minister says terminating police pact with China 'possible'

New government still reviewing deal, wants to talk to Beijing about future ties

4 June 2023
A New Zealand soldier guards a convoy of trucks in the Solomon Islands in April 2006.
29 May 2023
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, is greeted by Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape, left, late on May 21.
International relations

Modi extends 'Global South' outreach to Pacific islands after G-7

Indian PM 'forcefully' made developing world's case at rich nations' summit

22 May 2023
Leaders from the second summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation pose for a "family photo" in Jaipur, India, in August 2015. (Photo by NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Your Week in Asia

India-Pacific summit, Russian PM to China, Future of Asia event

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

21 May 2023
The flag of Papua New Guinea flies at Port Moresby.
Indo-Pacific

U.S. eyes access to Papua New Guinea naval base and airport

South Pacific competition intensifies following China’s deal with Solomon Islands

14 May 2023
Wesley Simina, left, is sworn in as president of Micronesia on May 11. (Photo courtesy of the presidential office)
Politics

Micronesia's new president takes over from Taiwan-leaning predecessor

Wesley Simina faces diplomatic balancing act between China and U.S.

12 May 2023
U.S. servicemen carry supplies at the Naval Base Guam. The Pacific islands have become a major concern in Washington's rivalry with Beijing. (Handout photo from the U.S. Navy)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. to strike economic deal with Pacific islands to counter China

Washington explores more military access as Beijing expands reach

21 April 2023
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Mogami and Kumano frigates at the Yokosuka base. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Defense

Japan's defense forces to visit Kiribati on biggest-ever Indo-Pacific tour

Deployment aims to check China's influence after island nation cuts Taiwan ties

21 April 2023
With her trip to New Caledonia and Tuvalu, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will have visited every member of the Pacific Islands Forum.
International relations

Australia foreign minister visits Pacific islands with eye on China

Climate, post-COVID economic recovery on agenda in New Caledonia and Tuvalu

20 April 2023
Sri Lankan women protest against high living costs and taxes on March 8: The island nation and others in debt distress are in need of relief. 
Opinion

G-20 nations should commit $500bn a year to 'SDG Stimulus'

The world is running out of time to rescue the U.N. 2030 Agenda

10 April 2023
Then-incoming Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in jacket, celebrates his election victory with allies in Suva on Dec. 20, 2022. 
Opinion

Fiji is trying to move beyond 'coup culture'

Democratic transition is off to a bumpy start and many risks remain

7 April 2023
People's Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka speaks to the press after Fiji's election in Suva on Dec. 17. He struck a coalition deal with two smaller parties to dislodge incumbent Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
Politics

Fiji's army deployed after uncertain election in coup-prone nation

After promising to respect democratic outcome, role of army suddenly unclear

22 December 2022
High-tide flooding in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro in this Dec. 6, 2021 photo.
Climate Change

Pacific islands see China-West tussle as chance for climate action

Geopolitics in area 'more and more intertwined' with global warming concerns

21 December 2022