Papua New Guinea has closed Taiwan's economic office, a move swiftly welcomed by China as adherence to the one-China principle. Taiwan criticized the decision, stating it was not consulted and is reviewing bilateral economic ties, including LNG imports, while negotiating to keep its office open.
Australia is strengthening its alliances in the Pacific and with India to counter China's growing influence. Recent diplomatic efforts include new security pacts with Fiji and Solomon Islands, and enhanced ties with Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Samoa. Prime Minister Albanese's foreign policy week also saw a meeting with India's PM Modi, focusing on shared concerns about China.
China conducted a ballistic missile test in the South Pacific nuclear-free zone, coinciding with Fiji joining Australia's treaty allies. The test, using a new JL-3 SLBM, is seen as a provocation and demonstrates China's increasing willingness to use military force for coercion in the Indo-Pacific.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a new defence alliance with Fiji to counter China's influence in the Pacific. He will also host leaders from Papua New Guinea and Tonga, while his team addresses domestic criticism over comments about Kylie Minogue.
China is preparing to test-fire a nuclear-capable missile into the Pacific Ocean near Papua New Guinea, according to the country's foreign minister and a New Zealand government source. China has also alerted New Zealand of an upcoming intercontinental ballistic missile test.
El Niño has brought frost and drought to Papua New Guinea's Highlands, destroying crops and threatening food security for up to 3 million people. Oxfam PNG reports severe food shortages and water issues, with the government urging preparedness.
China and Papua New Guinea signed an agreement on May 21 to enhance their economic partnership, aiming to expand bilateral trade, attract investment, and deepen cooperation in global supply chains.
Papua New Guinea's government warns communities not to fish along parts of the New Ireland coastline due to detected metals in water samples, following months of dead marine life reports and illness among residents.
It is feared soft-power politics and a $240m war-chest could leave Samoa and Tonga uniquely vulnerableThere’s a new war in the Pacific brewing, with the Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika collapsing and rugby league on a new signing spree in union’s traditional heartlands.The conflict spells trouble for Rugby Australia (RA), whose federal government is funding a $600m NRL franchise in Papua New Guinea, $240m of which will go into poaching talent and creating pathways throughout Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. Continue reading...
Theonila Roka Matbob, 35, from Papua New Guinea's Autonomous Region of Bougainville, has won the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize for her activism addressing environmental and social harms from the Panguna copper and gold mine operated by Rio Tinto. The mine operated from 1972-1989, causing massive environmental damage and triggering a decade-long civil war that claimed thousands of lives. Roka Matbob led a landmark human rights complaint against Rio Tinto, resulting in a 2024 memorandum of understanding to address remediation.
