Politics

A port in the Samoan capital of Apia: China is poised to help the island country redevelop another, well-located but disused port.
International relations

US and China leave Biden 'high stakes' inheritance in South Pacific

Washington lined up new ships as Beijing closed in on port before Election Day

23 November 2020
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 5, 2018. 
Politics

New Caledonia set for vote on ending 167 years of French rule

China watching Sunday's independence poll on increasingly strategic island

1 October 2020
Chinese military hospital ship the Peace Ark travels on the Pacific Ocean: the ship launched free medical services for the citizens of Vanuatu in July 2018.
Opinion

China's coronavirus aid to Pacific islands is part of geopolitical game

Beijing is using health care to improve relations in strategically significant area

23 April 2020
A Chinese flag flies outside the Chinese Embassy in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. China is pouring billions of dollars in aid and low-interest loans into the South Pacific, as part of a battle for power and influence in the region.
International relations

Coronavirus gives China an edge as it expands sway in the Pacific

Island nations such as Samoa and Tonga need loans to pay for stimulus

10 April 2020
AI is creating unfamiliar possibilities.
Opinion

It is time for G-20 to give way to tech-driven AI-20

Multilateral body based on harnessing artificial intelligence is way forward

28 February 2020
A staff member wearing a face mask stands in front of a restaurant on Valentine's Day in Beijing.
15 February 2020
The University of Melbourne campus. Thousands of Chinese students have been unable to attend class at schools in Australia because of the government's harsh response to the new coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Jason Koutsoukis) 
Coronavirus

Australian universities stung by absence of Chinese students

Billions of dollars at risk as travel ban interrupts return of tens of thousands

14 February 2020
Foreign students in Japan are allowed to work in unskilled-labor positions, such as convenience store work, for up to 28 hours per week. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
Japan immigration

Japan intensifies crackdown on student visa overstayers

Number of countries subject to stricter checks to increase tenfold

11 February 2020
Passengers wearing masks use their mobile phones at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on Jan. 27. 
Coronavirus

Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia plan coronavirus evacuation

Nations to quarantine citizens for around 14 days after returning home from Wuhan

29 January 2020
Chan Chun Sing, Singapore's minister for trade and industry, center, holds the signed joint statement for the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement with counterparts from New Zealand and Chile.
International relations

Singapore and TPP trailblazers now turn to digital rule-setting

Partners seek to draw global standards for AI, fintech and personal data

22 January 2020
Is this bush fire season presenting the kind of national crisis Australia needs to shake it from its climate malaise?
Opinion

Why should anyone trust Australia when it comes to climate change?

Politicians have been humiliated by lackluster response as country burns

20 January 2020
In this Sunday, Jan. 5 photo provided by Australian Department of Defense, the flight deck of a C-130J Hercules aircraft has a warm glow from wildfires, as they prepare to land at Merimbula airfield to deploy Fire and Rescue crews.
Natural disasters

Australia fire burns area 20 times the size of Tokyo

Prime Minister Morrison scrambles to contain political and economic damage

7 January 2020
Xi Jinping's ultimate aim is to win acceptance for what he has called a "community of common destiny" around Asia.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: Chinese influence a concern as ASEAN elections arrive

Taiwan, Singapore and others must beware Beijing's intentions as voters go to polls

31 December 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Micronesian President David Panuelo met in Beijing on Dec. 13. (Photo by Tsukasa Hadano)
Belt and Road

Beijing courts Micronesia in push for rival base to Guam

China dangles economic assistance to Pacific island nations currently aligned with US

14 December 2019
A traffic signal outside the WTO headquarters in Geneva. The U.S. has vetoed appointments of appellate judges at the WTO since 2017.
Trade

US forces standstill of WTO appeals body

Lack of judges leaves 14 trade cases hanging in the balance

12 December 2019
A voter raises his hands as he prepares to cast a vote in Buka, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, on Nov. 23.
Politics

Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea

China to step up its approach to South Pacific island if independence is granted

11 December 2019
Australian flag flutters in front of Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
International relations

Fear of China's election meddling triggers reforms across Pacific

Reports of shady contributions and spy activities push governments to act

7 December 2019
Scott Morrison shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a meeting on Nov. 3: the politics of Australia's relationship with China are complex and elude easy answers.
Opinion

Australia needs clear message when it comes to Chinese meddling

Scott Morrison's government has no strategy to deal with Beijing's rise

4 December 2019
Morrison values Abe as someone who has managed how to steer a course between an unstable America and an assertive China.
Opinion

Japan can teach Australia how to carefully handle China

Scott Morrison needs to study Shinzo Abe's resolve

2 December 2019
Singapore said on Friday it had instructed Facebook to correct a post on its social media platform under its new "fake news" law.
Politics

Singapore tells Facebook to correct post, citing 'fake news' law

Social media giant ordered to run correction after author refuses to comply

29 November 2019
China will continue some of Taiwan's projects, such as the construction of the main stadium for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Opinion

Pacific islands avoid China's 'debt-trap' diplomacy for now

Beijing's interest in region sparks fears it is making unsustainable loans

27 November 2019
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, left, with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. It is unclear whether India will return to the RCEP talks.
International relations

RCEP trade deal can take effect without India, Thailand confirms

China, Japan, ASEAN and others to write up treaty for ratification by June

8 November 2019
U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien at a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the ASEAN summit on Nov. 4 in Thailand. (Pool photo)
International relations

Trump's ASEAN snub signals US-led Asia order is in decline

Southeast Asian leaders see presidential envoy as sign of disrespect, expert says

5 November 2019
Leaders of sixteen nations pose during the Third RECEP Summit in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Nov. 4: The members failed to reach an agreement on a free trade deal on Monday.
International relations

Five things to know about India's cool stance on RCEP

Face-saving document raises questions about New Delhi's future in trade deal

5 November 2019
The RCEP talks are expected to continue next year, but some political analysts and economists fear it may be difficult to regain momentum.
International relations

16 Asia-Pacific nations fail to seal RCEP trade deal

India blocks agreement; talks pushed to next year in blow for trade-war-weary China

5 November 2019