The Pacific nations of Palau, Fiji, and Samoa have formed a new alliance to call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, citing the industry’s potential hazards to ocean ecology. “We believe it is not worth the risk. We ask all of you to support that deep-sea mining increases the vulnerability of the seabed floor and…
Samoa Extends State of Emergency as It Grapples With 1st Major COVID-19 Outbreak
The Samoan government has extended its state of emergency power through to May 8 as the Pacific nation grapples with its first major outbreak of COVID-19. Currently, the Pacific nation has recorded over 3,600 cases, with 263 in the last 24 hours. The current emergency powers were set to end on April 11. The Pacific…
Tsunami Observed in American Samoa After Tonga Volcano Erupts
An underwater volcano off Tonga erupted on Saturday, triggering a tsunami warning for several South Pacific island nations, with footage on social media showing waves crashing into homes. Tsunami waves were observed in Tonga’s capital and the capital of American Samoa, a U.S.-based tsunami monitor said. The eruption at 0410 GMT of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga…
Australia Changes Tack, Focuses on Sport to Win the Pacific From Beijing
September 3, 2021
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Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaChina-Australia RelationsFijiInternationalInternational RelationsMarise Paynepacific step-upRugbyrugby leagueRugby UnionSamoaSouth PacificTed O'BrienTongaWorld
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Australia is considering an ambitious sporting diplomacy mission to deepen engagement in the South Pacific region, amid increasing competition with Beijing’s encroaching hegemony. “Team AusPac” is an initiative being recommended to the federal government following an extensive inquiry into improving trade and relations with Pacific Island nations. The proposal would see an expansion of existing…
Samoa Is Right to Cancel Chinese Port
Commentary Samoa has canceled a $100 million port that China planned to build by loaning the cash-strapped nation. This is an about-turn for Samoa, which is rightly asserting independence and financial discipline when it comes to China’s opaque development loans. On July 30, Reuters published an exclusive interview with Samoa’s new prime minister, Fiame Naomi…
Australia Bankrolls $68M Fiji Airport, Amid Pacific Competition With Beijing
August 2, 2021
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ANZ BankAustraliaBusinessChinaChina-Australia RelationsCompaniesFijiInternationalInternational RelationsSamoaSouth PacificWorldZed Seselja
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Australia will provide $68 million to Fiji to assist with airport upgrades amid a wider influence push into the South Pacific region against Beijing’s encroaching hegemony. The government-backed Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) will partner with ANZ Bank to support infrastructure upgrades to increase passenger capacity at Nadi International Airport to help…
Samoa’s New Leader Confirms Scrapping of China-Funded Port
SYDNEY—The new prime minister of Samoa has confirmed she will cancel a China-backed port project. She hasn’t closed the door to China as she navigates a path for the Pacific nation while a regional competition between Beijing and Washington intensifies. Fiame Naomi Mataafa indicated she would only approve investments that had clear benefits for her…
Pro-China Samoan Interim Prime Minister To Appear Before Court As Election Crisis Continues
July 12, 2021
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Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaFiame Naomi MataafaInternationalInternational Relationspolitical crisisSamoaWorld
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Samoa’s caretaker Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, is set to appear before the country’s Supreme Court on Monday for refusing to follow orders issued by the court in May to open the nation’s Parliament. Tuila’epa and three colleagues refused to open the country’s Parliament for a swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Prime Minister Fiame…
Samoa’s Constitutional Crises: PM-Elect Locked out of Parliament
The outgoing Samoan government on May 24 blocked Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata’afa from entering Parliament House to be sworn in, pushing Samoa into its biggest constitutional crisis in decades. May 24 was the last day Fiame and her incoming governing party, Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST), could legally be inducted into power under the…
New Samoan Leader to Scrap $100M China-Backed Belt and Road Port Project
May 20, 2021
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Asia & PacificAustraliabelt and road initiativeChinaChinese RegimeFiame Naomi MataafaInternationalSamoaSouth PacificTuilaepa Sailele MalielegaoiWorld
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Samoa’s incoming prime minister has pledged to scrap a US$100 million Chinese-backed port development, saying it is excessive for the small Pacific island already saddled with major debts to Beijing. The move comes amid growing concerns over the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) soft power push into the South Pacific region and represents a major policy…
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