by Francis Tuschek, Staff Writer Members of the public in Guam attended open-house meetings last week to learn more about the 360-degree Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System being planned for Guam. The military is seeking public input on a draft environmental impact statement for the missile defense system. The Guam Daily Post reports that, if…
by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer The leader of one of Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies in the Pacific has stated that his country is facing increasing pressure from China to withdraw its support for Taipei. Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. also accused China of infringing on his nation’s exclusive economic zone, which is located north of…
The United States Congress has just resumed its session to pass bills directly or indirectly related to China, including the Pacific Partnership Act, which was passed without objection and requires close cooperation with Taiwan and the Pacific Islands Forum. The Pacific Islands Forum, which is mentioned many times in the bill, has only recently staged…
by Richard Sanders. Staff Writer The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has altered its final communique to remove a reference to Taiwan, after a senior Chinese diplomat publicly criticized the document. Organizers have blamed the wording on an error. The group of 18 island nations, along with Australia and New Zealand, convened in Tonga last…
by Francis Tuschek, Staff Writer The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has altered its final communique to remove a reference to Taiwan, after a senior Chinese diplomat publicly criticized the document. Organizers have blamed the wording on an error. The group of 18 island nations, along with Australia and New Zealand, convened in Tonga last…
by Jake Sanders, Editor Taiwan has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat to extend its support for the organization from next year until 2027, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. During the annual Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue in Tonga on Friday, Deputy Minister of Foreign…
by Jake Sanders, Editor A joint statement from Pacific leaders was reissued at the PIF yesterday morning, omitting references to Taiwan after China criticized a previous version as a “mistake” that needed correction. Following five days of discussions in Tonga, a revised communique was published on Friday, reaffirming a 30-year-old agreement that permits Taiwan’s participation…
pictured: Feleti Teo, Tuvalu PM by Jake Sanders, Editor Australia has pledged to support Tuvalu in adapting to climate change through the Falepili Union treaty, according to Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo. The agreement, signed late last year and criticized by a former Tuvalu leader as “shameful,” establishes a special visa pathway for Tuvaluan citizens…
by Jake Sanders, Editor The head of the independent faction in the Solomon Islands has raised doubts about whether the country remains truly independent. According to a report by SIBC, Peter Kenilorea Jr responded to a government statement that accused him of breaching the one-China policy and undermining the Solomon Islands government’s ties with Beijing….