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Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 15 July
Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 4:49 pm Article: RNZ Samoa - elections In a historic milestone for Samoa, two prominent members of the Samoa Fa'afafine Association (SFA) have announced they will be candidates in the upcoming general election. Afioga Falesaopule Seimaleula Vaialia Iosua will be contesting in the Gagaifomauga District, while Afioga Siligatusa Alosina Ropati is standing in the Vaimauga District. Both are respected matai and senior advisory councillors within the SFA. The Fa'afafine Association said that it welcomed their decision to enter politics with immense pride. It said that Samoa's laws have always acknowledged the equal rights of all citizens to participate in public life. The Samoa Observer reports that August's election is expected to see a number of fresh faces, but the candidacy of the two fa'afafine leaders is significant and symbolic. Samoa - elections Samoa's electoral commissioner says that the 20-day timetable approved by the Supreme Court gives his office the time it needs to carry out its responsibilities ahead of the 2025 general election. Speaking to the Samoa Observer following the court's confirmation of key dates, Tuiafelolo John Stanley said that the extended timeframe will mean they can do the job properly. The Office of the Electoral Commissioner had initially requested 15 days, but the court granted five additional days after considering submissions from all parties. Tuiafelolo said that it will give space to deal with objections and challenges in a fair and thorough way. All objections to the voter roll and nominations must be filed by Friday. Nauru - China Nauru President David Adeang says China is transforming his country. In June, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a China-funded sports centre that will host events at the 2026 Micronesia Games. Adeang told China's state-run media'China Media Group that he was expecting the sporting landscape in Nauru to completely change as a result Nauru switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in January last year. Fiji - desecration Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stressed that the desecration of the Samabula Shiv Temple in the capital Suva is not the actions of a responsible citizen. Rabuka has said sorry to the Hindu community for what he has called an unacceptable act. He told that such actions are disappointing and should never be accepted. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of alleged sacrilege and one count of throwing an object. Fiji - meeting More than 150 regional leaders, diplomats, security experts, and civil society representatives are in Suva Fiji for one of the Pacific's largest security gatherings - the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Niue's Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi and Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa opened the meeting Monday. The high-level meeting brings together senior government officials from Pacific Islands Forum member countries. The Fiji Times reported that regional stakeholders are expected to develop a Pacific-led roadmap towards the proposed "Ocean of Peace" - something Forum leaders will consider later this year. Papua New Guinea - sorcery A Catholic bishop in PNG has criticised authorities for failing to make sustained efforts to curb sorcery related violence. The issue is back in the spotlight following the murder of a woman who had been accused of using witchcraft to kill her husband earlier this month. The Bishop of Mendi Don Lippert said that existing laws are not being enforced. The PNG government had promised new laws to make failing to report such cases a crime. Papua New Guinea - fuel Prime Minister James Marape says the development of a fuel storage facility in Port Moresby is one of the key outcomes of a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States. Marape held talks with US government officials in Washington DC last Wednesday. With fuel shortages having been a thorny topic in PNG for a while now. The National newspaper reported that Marape saying the fuel storage facility is set to improve fuel security and ensure supply reliability during emergencies. Marape said that he is seeing real progress through the agreement. Cook Islands - race A group of 10 proud Cook Islands athletes have made history as the nation's first-ever representation at the Emo Aito Māori fruit-carrying race in the Heiva Tahiti Tu'aro Maohi Traditional Games in Tahiti. Leading the team are coaches Ioana George Piira and Mylan Lane Vakapora, alongside manager Tixier-Teau. Both Vakapora and Tixier-Teau, the only female competitors, will compete in the masters division. Local media reported Tixier-Teau saying that coach Piira's personal journey has been a source of inspiration. © Scoop Media
Perth Now
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Australia to grow Fiji ties after Rabuka visit
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's week-long visit to Australia has borne fruit, with Anthony Albanese's government agreeing to bolster aid by tens of millions to the Pacific nation. Australia has agreed to a fresh commitment of $52 million of support, with a focus on border security, taking commitments to the Melanesian nation to just under $500 million over the next four years. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also announced a deepening of policing and security ties, including officers and advisers to be embedded in Fijian operations. "Australia and Fiji are taking steps to formally elevate and deepen the Vuvale Partnership as we work together to ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific," Senator Wong said. The border security funding of $12 million will "strengthen border security by improving shipping container screening at Lautoka and Suva Ports". It's hoped this will tackle the growing illicit drugs crisis in Fiji, with the regional hub increasingly used by trafficking cartels as a gateway to the lucrative Australian market. Mr Rabuka arrived in Canberra last week, meeting with governor-general Sam Mostyn before a series of meetings with Australian officials, including Mr Albanese. He addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday, calling for a deepening of defence ties and raised the prospect of Fijian soldiers serving in the the Australian Defence Forces. He rebuked China's security ambitions for the region, saying Fiji would not welcome a military base in its territory or the wider Pacific. That is in keeping with Mr Rabuka's "Ocean of Peace" proposal, a vision for a peaceful and collaborative region that the veteran prime minister hopes to codify at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting in September. Australia has offered support for that proposal when it comes before the region's leaders at the annual summit, to be hosted in the Solomon Islands. Senator Wong and Pacific island Minister Pat Conroy, said Australia had also agreed to explore further co-operation with Fiji on several other areas. That includes developing a "modern, cyber-secure border management system", co-operation on transnational crime and policing.
Asahi Shimbun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Fiji says China military base not welcome as Pacific islands steer between superpowers
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka arrives at the Great Hall of the People for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Aug. 20, 2024. (Pool via REUTERS) SYDNEY--Fiji is opposed to China setting up a military base in the Pacific Islands, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said on Wednesday, adding that it did not need such a base to project power, as shown by an intercontinental ballistic missile test. Strategically placed between the United States and Asia, the Pacific Islands are a focus of rivalry between Washington and Beijing for security ties. The islands were trying to cope with a big, powerful China seeking to spread its influence, Rabuka told the National Press Club in the Australian capital, adding that Beijing understood he would lobby other Pacific leaders against such a base. 'Pacific leaders in all their recent discussions have tried to go for policies that are friendly to all and enemies to none - and it is a fairly tough course to steer, but it is possible,' he added. The Pacific would feel the impact of any conflict over the Taiwan Strait between major powers, a possibility already being planned for by China and other nations, he said. Fiji opposes establishment of a military base by China, he said, in response to queries on Beijing's security ambitions in a region where it already has a security pact with the Solomon Islands and a police presence in several nations. 'If they want to come, who would welcome them?' he said. 'Not Fiji.' China's embassy in Fiji did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Beijing has previously ruled out establishing a military base in the Solomon Islands. China did not need a base to project power, Rabuka added, as Beijing tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in September that flew over Fiji to land in international waters. China showed off its coast guard to 10 visiting leaders of Pacific islands in May, after registering two dozen of its vessels with a regional fisheries commission last year, though it has yet to start South Pacific patrols. China's coast guard would need to 'observe our sovereignty, our sovereign waters', Rabuka said. Fiji's cooperation with China to develop infrastructure should not affect how it interacts with Australia, New Zealand and the United States, he added. To manage strategic competition in the region, Rabuka is trying to build support for an Ocean of Peace treaty to ensure outsiders respect its unity and the 'rejection of coercion as a means to achieve security, economic or political advantage.' Leaders of the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum will consider the pact at a meeting in September.
Hans India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
FM Sitharaman meets key leaders in Spain to boost bilateral relations
Seville (Spain): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the International Business Forum Leadership Summit here, where she discussed cooperation in mutual areas of interest in defence, education, technology and agriculture, among other sectors. She met Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Universities, Statistics and Pacific Peoples, New Zealand. Both ministers discussed cooperation in mutual areas of interest in defence, education, technology and agriculture, and shared values rooted in democracy, rule of law, and robust people-to-people ties. The Finance Minister discussed the world-class opportunities available at GIFT-IFSC in terms of banking, bullion exchange, capital markets, funds ecosystem, FinTech, insurers and reinsurers. 'She noted educational exchange as a cornerstone of India-New Zealand relationship with many Indian students pursuing higher education in New Zealand,' according to a post on X by Finance Ministry. Dr Reti agreed to the need for enhancing education sector ties bilaterally, and also shared New Zealand's experience in engaging with the Pacific. The Finance Minister highlighted India's strong partnership with Pacific Island Countries, and looked forward to enhancing engagement along with New Zealand through the Pacific Islands Forum. She also met Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Foreign Minister of Peru, on the sidelines of the 'FFD4' meeting. The two leaders discussed deepening strategic partnerships across FinTech, trade, investment, mining and defence, as well as the potential for collaboration in infrastructure projects, particularly the railways, according to an official statement. FM Sitharaman highlighted India's expertise in building rail links and manufacturing of rolling stock. Salcedo said that he looked forward to India's participation in international bids for three rail links being developed in Peru. The Finance Minister shared India's interest in diversifying exports to Peru, especially in automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and IT services; and valued imports of critical minerals such as copper and lithium from Peru - a potential key for India's energy transition and industrial growth. She met Germany's Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan and congratulated her on her recent appointment as Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. They discussed various mutual areas of collaboration under India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership including green and renewable energy, urban mobility and sustainable urban development; and sustainable livelihoods through ecology. Alabali-Radovan looked forward to strengthening bilateral relations with India and stated that Germany would like to have greater cooperation with India, said the Ministry.
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
