February
New Zealand ‘blindsided’ by Cook Islands-China deal
New Zealand, along with Australia and the United States, have become increasingly concerned about China’s growing presence in the Pacific region.
January
Business tapped to foil Chinese influence in the Pacific
The Albanese government is reminding Australian companies that keeping their social licence means operating beyond the nation’s borders.
December 2024
Australia spends $190m on Solomons policing
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele announced the agreement on Friday.
June 2024
New policing deal to keep China out of the Pacific
Australia has agreed to help Solomon Islands grow its police force following high level leaders’ talks.
May 2024
Australia ready to help Solomons build a defence force: Marles
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will meet Solomon Islands’ new leader Jeremiah Manele in Honiara on Tuesday.
New Solomons PM still close to China, but more diplomatic
Despite being foreign minister for almost five years, Jeremiah Manele is unlikely to strictly follow the pro-China policy of his predecessor, according to some.
April 2024
Chinese influence lingers in Solomons despite Sogavare ouster
The new Solomon Islands government is not expected to be as overtly hostile to Australia after Manasseh Sogavare declared he will not recontest the prime ministership.
Solomon Islands PM steps down after elections
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare formed close ties with China during his terms in power and said he had been vilified for it.
Pro-China Solomon Islands PM fails to win majority
Manasseh Sogavare has failed to win a majority in parliamentary elections, setting the stage for coalition negotiations.
Mourners pay tribute to Bondi victims as shopping centre reopens
People have gathered at Westfield Bondi Junction in the eastern suburbs to pay tribute to the six people murdered last weekend. How the day unfolded.
March 2024
US passes long-delayed deal to fund crucial Pacific Island agreements
Although the three island nations involved are tiny, they span 4000 km across the Pacific, providing critical access for the US to operate in the Indo-Pacific region.
January 2024
China always a step ahead in Pacific influence tussle
While Australia and the United States are stepping up efforts to counter China’s rising influence in the Pacific, Beijing always seems to be one step ahead.
China, Papua New Guinea in talks on policing, security cooperation
Beijing approached PNG in September with an offer to assist its police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology, says the country’s foreign minister.
August 2023
How Fiji got a nasty lesson in Chinese authoritarianism
The Pacific nation watched in shock as Chinese security agents marched what it said were 77 criminal suspects onto a plane and flew them away for detention in China.
July 2023
Blinken warns of China’s ‘problematic behaviour’ in Pacific
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the tiny kingdom of Tonga, as the US steps up diplomatic efforts in the Pacific to counter China’s influence.
China, not NATO, is militarising Asia
The Solomon Islands’ ‘strategic partnership’ with Beijing should disturb anyone who values peace. It also justifies Australia’s increased engagement with NATO.
‘Un-neighbourly’: Sogavare lashes Australia over Chinese security deal
Solomons Island PM Manasseh Sogavare has accused Australia and the US of foreign interference after they called for transparency over a new Chinese police agreement.
‘Reliable brothers’: China, Solomon Islands boost ties
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has signed nine deals with China during his visit to Beijing this week.
Solomons leader to be feted on first China visit since security pact
Manasseh Sogavare says his interest is development aid for his country and it will remain neutral in the global contest for influence between the US and China.
June 2023
Australia, Solomon Islands to review security pact after China moves in
Defence Minister Richard Marles has also flagged a long-term security presence for Australian forces in Solomon Islands.