Tag: Pacific Islands Forum

Chinese Officials Evicted From Pacific Forum Address

Two Chinese officials were discovered secretly attending an address by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to the Pacific Islands Forum. The officials were sitting along with the media contingent before a reporter noticed them from The Guardian newspaper, who recognised the two males. When questioned on whether they were representing the Xinhua News Agency or…


VP Harris Pledges Support to Pacific Leaders, Announces New Strategy

Vice President Kamala Harris met virtually with leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) July 12, wherein she vowed new and increased U.S. commitments to the region as well as a forthcoming Pacific islands strategic document. “The United States is a proud Pacific nation and has an enduring commitment to the Pacific islands, which is…


Pacific More Concerned With Climate Change Than China: Australian Defence Minister

The Australian Labor government is pinning its hopes on climate change policy as the key to winning over Pacific nations amid increasing geopolitical competition with Beijing. Top leaders have emphasised the Albanese government’s support of climate change action, including a higher emissions reduction target, as a key differentiator from the previous government. On July 12,…


Kiribati Withdraws From Pacific Islands Forum, Further Weakening the West’s Bulwark Against Beijing

The Pacific Islands Forum has been dealt a heavy blow after the surprise withdrawal of Kiribati from the regional body—the peak intergovernmental organisation in the region. The move comes amid ongoing dissatisfaction from Micronesian countries in the Forum, a festering issue that has erupted amid Beijing’s ongoing influence in the region. On July 10, news…


Kiribati Withdraws From Pacific Islands Forum, Further Weakening West’s Bulwark Against Beijing

The surprise withdrawal of Kiribati from the Pacific Islands Forum has dealt a heavy blow to the regional body—the peak intergovernmental organisation in the region. The move comes amid ongoing dissatisfaction from Micronesian countries in the Forum, a festering issue that has erupted amid Beijing’s ongoing influence in the region. On July 10, news of Kiribati’s…


New Australian Government’s Climate Stance ‘Welcomed’ at Pacific Forum

Australia’s increased target on climate change action is set to be welcomed when leaders meet at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, according to the federal minister for the region. Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said the federal government’s new climate target had been well supported by nations in the region and was a sign of…


New Pacific Pact Proposal Designed to Beat Back Beijing’s Unrestricted Warfare

Democratic countries are proposing a new Pacific-wide pact to strengthen cooperation and development efforts in the region to combat Beijing’s influence building and hybrid warfare operations. The “Partners in the Blue Pacific” would involve the United States, Australia, France, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to provide “closer, more purposeful, and more ambitious cooperation.”…


New 6-Nation Pacific Pact Proposed to Beat Back Beijing’s Unrestricted Warfare

Democratic countries are proposing a new Pacific-wide pact to strengthen cooperation and development efforts in the region to combat Beijing’s influence building and hybrid warfare operations. The “Partners in the Blue Pacific” would involve the United States, Australia, France, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to provide “closer, more purposeful, and more ambitious cooperation.”…


Australia to Spend $300 Million in Pacific to Combat Beijing Money

The Australian government has committed to spending $300 million (US$232 million) on infrastructure projects in the Pacific region as a way to combat Beijing’s predatory lending in the region. In a report by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, it was revealed that the move is part of Australia’s Pacific step-up efforts and includes…


Australia and Pacific Island Leaders Talk About CCP Virus Vaccine Roll Out

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will join fellow Pacific leaders at a virtual retreat to discuss the region’s response to the CCP virus pandemic. The online forum will see 17 leaders from the Pacific, whose security and prosperity are intertwined, come together to address the health and economic challenges posed by the pandemic. “The…