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,…

Several Pacific Island leaders reached an agreement on Tuesday to prevent the region’s major diplomatic group from splintering. This comes as China has been increasing diplomatic efforts in the region. Six Pacific Islands Forum members—Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Palau, and the Marshall Islands—met in Fiji on Tuesday to resolve reform…

As the United States shifts its strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attempts to gain control over island nations in the region. China’s foreign minister introduced a broad-reaching security and trade pact during a recent visit to the South Pacific. But the United States and some Pacific nations raised concerns. Chinese…

News Analysis The Chinese regime has co-opted the Solomon Islands and is now set on removing the Federated States of Micronesia from its Compact of Free Association with the United States. On March 25, the Solomon Islands confirmed that it was drafting a security deal with China. With this single contract, the United States loses…

The leader of the Federated States of Micronesia on Wednesday appealed to the Solomon Islands government to scrap a China-Solomons security pact, citing “grave security concerns” and the risk of “increasing geopolitical tensions.” President David Panuelo wrote to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare saying that Micronesia “cannot endorse or agree” with the “unprecedented agreement” that…

While America is busy elsewhere, China is trying to win over the island nations in the Pacific. From the Solomon Islands to Fiji, these key strategic locations matter. Landing strips, ports, and possible missile sites are what China seeks. Can American diplomacy wrestle with China on economic, political, and diplomatic fronts to win influence? Join…

Leaders from nine Pacific Island nations have vowed to deepen their relationship with Beijing, fight the pandemic, and continue collaborating on major infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The pledge comes amid an ongoing tug-of-war between Beijing and democratic allies in the South Pacific region. In late May, top Chinese Communist Party…

The leaders of several Pacific island nations met to mend fences after Micronesia pulled out of the region’s peak body, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), in February over the selection of its new secretary-general from the Cook Islands. The political dialogue mechanism called the Forum Troika Plus was set up in March to facilitate open…