Pacific Islands Forum meeting ‘less productive’ with a third of its leaders absent
Analysts say Beijing’s influence may have undermined the event, where the China-Taiwan rivalry is front and center.
Marianas voices demand a seat at the table in U.S. seabed mining proposal
The project can boost CNMI economy and U.S. national security, but there are also local concerns, they said.
China ‘likely’ ran targeted campaign to align Pacific with its latest five-year plan
Report by the Alliance Futures Initiative documents how Beijing promoted the 15th FYP in the region
PNG’s closure of Taiwan trade office signals expanded economic ties with China
Experts said the move was diplomatically confusing, but that PNG could expect vast sums of Chinese money.
PNG observers call for restraint from China and US over ‘wine bottle’ shell
The statements by Beijing and Washington undermine the jurisdiction of PNG authorities, observers said.
Solomon Islands crisis: regional power rivalries spill into domestic politics
Experts say China may have had a hand in the filing of no confidence in Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s leadership.
After US accuses Fijian of corruption for China, experts warn of region-wide network
“Illicit disruptors” in Pacific allow Beijing to benefit from illegal activity while offering plausible deniability
Solomon Islands domestic political squabbles could frustrate diplomatic engagement
No confidence motion withdrawn, but experts say volatility could undermine PM Wale’s pivot to Canberra, Washington.
Solomon Islands signs security agreement with US, reaffirms neutrality
Engaging with both Beijing and Washington is ‘standard practice’ for countries in the region, experts said.
Taiwan tests economic leverage after Papua New Guinea closes representative office
Analysts say liquefied natural gas review reflects a gradual shift, though Taipei’s leverage remains limited.
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