The Bank of China (BOC) has opened a representative office in Papua New Guinea (PNG), its first branch in the South Pacific island nation, amid intensifying competition between the United States and China. The launching ceremony was attended by BOC chairman Ge Haijiao and PNG leader James Marape on June 1. The new office is…

The Bank of China (BOC) has opened a representative office in Papua New Guinea (PNG), its first branch in the South Pacific island nation, amid intensifying competition between the United States and China. The ceremony, at the new office in the capital of Port Moresby, was attended by BOC Chairman Ge Haijiao and PNG Prime…

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said on May 30 that he had delayed signing a proposed security treaty with Australia as “certain wordings and provisions” require consultation with domestic processes. Marape and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles met on the sidelines of the Korea-Pacific Islands summit in Seoul, South Korea, to discuss…

The United States and Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed a defense cooperation agreement on Monday to solidify their bilateral ties as the U.S. attempts to push back China’s influence in the Pacific region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with PNG Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby on behalf of President Joe Biden, whose…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) in lieu of President Joe Biden, whose trip was canceled due to the United States debt limit talks, next week amid efforts to counter China’s rising influence in the Pacific. Biden contacted PNG leader James Marape on May 18 to inform him that…

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will visit Papua New Guinea later this month to attend President Joe Biden’s summit with Pacific leaders, his office said on Thursday. Hipkins will embark on his trip to Papua New Guinea on May 21, marking his first visit to the Pacific nation since becoming prime minister in January….

U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) later this month to discuss cooperation in advancing “inclusive economic growth” with the Pacific nation, the White House has confirmed. Biden will stop in PNG while traveling from Japan—where he will attend the G7 Leaders’ summit—to Australia for a Quad Leaders’ meeting on May 24,…

U.S. President Joe Biden will briefly visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) during his trip to Australia next month, an official from the southwestern Pacific nation said, in a move that will help boost the U.S. engagement in the region. PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told reporters on Thursday that Biden is planning to visit the nation’s…

An earthquake in a remote region of Papua New Guinea killed four people and destroyed more than 300 homes, local media reported, as disaster relief officials worked to further assess damage Tuesday. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck in a remote region early Monday, causing deep fissures in the land near the epicenter at Chambri Lake…

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has issued a stern warning to kidnappers to release their remaining hostages after one was freed. Armed men took four people hostage, including a New Zealand national who has been a long-time Australian resident, and are demanding a ransom from the PNG and Australian governments. James Marape urged the gang to…