Latest news with #MelanesianSpearheadGroup
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific news in brief for 15 August
Solomon Islands - marine Community leaders from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands have committed to establish a transboundary marine protected area in their shared ocean space. The Solomon Star reported President of Torba Province, Edgar Haward, saying Torba was honored to host Temotu, its neighbor across national solwara borders. The proposed protected area aims to ensure total recovery of marine ecosystems, strengthen food and nutrition security, and open new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. The provinces will seek support from the Melanesian Spearhead Group to advance the initiative. The formal legal declaration will be made at the PIF Leaders' Summit. American Samoa - dengue American Samoa is reporting a number of its cases of dengue fever are linked to recent travel to neighbouring Samoa. Territorial epidemiologist, Adam Konrote said as of 8 August, the territory reported 34 lab-confirmed cases. "Of these, 26 cases are travel-associated, primarily linked to recent travel to western Samoa," he said. "Eight cases have been confirmed to be locally acquired." Konrote said Tafuna is the village with the most confirmed cases. Samoa has reported nearly 8000 clinically diagnosed cases of the disease and six deaths. New Caledonia/Australia - travel Australia's government is advising travellers to New Caledonia to exercise "a high degree of caution". This comes more than a year after violence broke out in Noumea over a proposal by the French state to change voter eligibility. That proposal was eventually abandoned. Australia's 'smart traveller' site warns that there's still a high police and security presence in country, and isolated security incidents may occur across the territory. Tonga - election Tonga's parliament has wrapped up its session, ushering in a three-month campaign period for November's general election. Bills passed in the session included the Personal Health Information Protection Bill, and the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill. Parliament is set to reconvene in October to formally close the session before the election. Talanoa 'o Tonga reported many of the current members are expected to run.
The Star
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
SYDNEY: Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on Monday (June 23) in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on Thursday. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defence partnership with Australia. Australia said on Thursday it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million (US$312 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of kilometres of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers last month, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a "crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability". In the meeting, Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with "a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region". He did not specify which partners. In the Solomon Islands on Thursday, Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cyber security support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. "The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes," he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Conroy said in a television interview. "I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added. - Reuters
Asahi Shimbun
26-06-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
A grocery store run by a Chinese man in Honiara, Solomon Islands, displays flags of China and the Solomon Islands on the wall on May 29, 2020. (The Asahi Shimbun) SYDNEY--Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on Monday in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on Thursday. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defense partnership with Australia. Australia said on Thursday it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million ($312 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of km (miles) of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers last month, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. LARGEST TRADING PARTNER Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a 'crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability.' In the meeting, Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with 'a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region'. He did not specific which partners. In the Solomon Islands on Thursday, Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cyber security support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. 'The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes,' he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Conroy said in a television interview. 'I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific,' he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added.
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
SYDNEY, June 26 (Reuters) - Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on Monday in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on Thursday. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defence partnership with Australia. Australia said on Thursday it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million ($312 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of km (miles) of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers last month, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a "crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability". In the meeting, Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with "a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region". He did not specific which partners. In the Solomon Islands on Thursday, Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cyber security support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. "The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes," he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Conroy said in a television interview. "I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added. ($1 = 1.5312 Australian dollars)
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
SYDNEY - Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on June 23 in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on June 26. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defence partnership with Australia. Australia said on June 26 it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million (S$397.46 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of kilometres of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers in May, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. Largest trading partner Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a "crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability". In the meeting, Mr Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with "a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region". He did not specific which partners. In the Solomon Islands on June 26, Mr Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cybersecurity support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. "The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes," he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Mr Conroy said in a television interview. "I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
