TARAWA, 04 NOVEMBER 2019 (RNZ PACIFIC)—The Kiribati government has lost its majority in Parliament for the first time in three years. The opposition, which could use its numbers to call for fresh elections, has been strengthened by discontent over contentious relations with China. The House of Assembly opened today for the first time since Kiribati […]
Tag: China
Posted inOpinion
Victoria takes wrong track with China
CANBERRA,04 NOVEMBER 2019 (THE AUSTRALIAN)—The Chinese are weaponizing federalism by driving a political wedge between the federal and state positions on the Belt and Road Initiative. That’s the conclusion to be drawn from Daniel Andrews’ recent announcement that Victoria has struck a new deal with China under its BRI. Last month, Andrews signed an agreement […]
Posted inWorld News
Xi meets Lam in ‘vote of confidence’ over Hong Kong protests
HONG KONG (AP) — A senior Hong Kong official says Chinese President Xi Jinping’s surprise meeting with the territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, is a “vote of confidence” in her government’s ability to tackle five months of anti-government protests. Xi met Lam on the sidelines of a trade event in Shanghai on Monday night amid signals […]
Posted inPacific News
China at 70: religion under threat
This month marked the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Patriotic processions made their way across the country, prompting fresh protests in Hong Kong and the trending of a new hashtag: #NotMyNationalDay. The credentials of the PRC at 70 are indeed impressive: the world’s most populous nation, the largest exporter and the second […]
Posted inPacific News
China cites ‘early harvest’ benefits in Guadalcanal deal
HONIARA, 31 OCTOBER 2019 (REUTERS) — Chinese companies will build and control power and port facilities, roads, rail and bridges on Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands, as part of an US$825 million deal to revive an abandoned gold mine, according to new contract details. The gold project agreement, described by Chinese ambassador Xue Bing as […]
Posted inOpinion
Why the US may struggle to entice Pacific partners to help contain China
WASHINGTON, 29 OCTOBER 2019 (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST) — China is actually gaining ground on the US in this battle for hearts and minds, as Beijing’s recent poaching of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and the Solomon Islands has shown – there is even speculation that the Chinese an island in the latter as a naval base. […]