Author: TMC Palau
Surangel Whipps Jr, president of an 18,000-strong Pacific Island nation difficult to place on a map, has become an unlikely irritant for China, the world’s second-largest economy.The Pacific Islands Forum that Whipps is hosting has once again been drawn into the intensifying power competition playing out across the region, and is the latest focus of China’s relentless efforts to erase Taiwan’s presence from the international stage.Loading… Source link
By L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) — The U.S. International Development Finance Corp. is making its first major push into the Pacific, bringing expanded financing tools and a mandate to support economic development while seeking investment opportunities that reflect the priorities of Pacific island governments. “We are now open. So we’re very excited […]The post U.S. DFC enters Pacific with $205 billion global investment capacity, seeks projects aligned with island priorities appeared first on Island Times News. Source link
By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau KOROR, 31 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Pacific civil society organisations are maintaining their call for a ban on deep sea mining, warning Pacific leaders that seabed extraction could expose countries to major legal, financial and environmental liabilities. The warning was made during a civil society interview at the Pacific Media Workshop […]The post Deep Sea Mining could leave countries liable: Civil Society warns Pacific Leaders appeared first on Island Times News. Source link
China said it had serious concerns about Taiwan’s presence at the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, warning of “consequences” after the democratically ruled island attended the group’s opening ceremony on Monday.China views Taiwan as its own territory, and China-Taiwan tensions have featured prominently at the meeting, which is intended to demonstrate regional unity.“There will always be consequences,” Qian Bo, China’s special envoy for Pacific island affairs, said of Taiwan attending the event. “It’s not a threat,” he said, without specifying what the consequences would be.“This is objected to by all, so this should not have happened. We think it’s…
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) — “Australia’s commitment to the Pacific is unshakeable,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, reaffirming Canberra’s support for Pacific Islands Forum unity while emphasizing that regional solutions must remain Pacific-led. Responding to Island Times during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, Albanese said Australia […]The post Australia pledges stronger support for Pacific priorities, renewable energy appeared first on Island Times News. Source link
China voiced its opposition to Taiwan joining a meeting of Pacific island nations this week, with Beijing’s envoy threatening unspecified consequences over its presence at the conference.Palau, a stunning West Pacific archipelago of less than 20,000 people, is one of a dozen remaining nations that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. As host of this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, it invited Taiwan’s foreign minister to attend, one of Taipei’s few remaining avenues for international exposure.“We certainly have serious concerns,” China’s special envoy to the Pacific Qian Bo told reporters in Palau on Monday. “Taiwan is not a dialogue partner for the…
By Elilai Rengiil KOROR, Palau (August 30, 2026) — Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting Chair and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. wants Pacific leaders to consider setting a fixed annual date for the Forum, saying predictable scheduling could improve attendance and strengthen regional unity. “It’s pretty hard to speak with one voice if they’re not […]The post Forum Chair Whipps pushes for fixed annual date for PIF Leaders Meeting appeared first on Island Times News. Source link
Host nation Palau has brought together the Pacific Islands Forum to build regional defenses against rising sea levels while resisting external geopolitical pressures from global superpowers. The Local Trend: Climate Diplomacy and Island Autonomy Pacific island nations are reshaping global diplomacy by transforming regional meetings into platforms for environmental defense. Once viewed primarily as remote holiday destinations, these nations are leveraging their vast Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) — which contain important fisheries and potential seabed resources — to assert their rights. At the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) summit in Palau, regional leaders met in the capital, temporary diplomatic hub, to…
By L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — A new permanent resident visa category for certain non-Palauans who have deep and longstanding ties to Palau, has been proposed to address the current immigration system that leaves some people who have made the country their home face the same uncertainty as short-term foreign workers. In a letter transmitting […]The post Resident visa for long-term Palau residents proposed appeared first on Island Times News. Source link
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale will face a motion of no confidence next week, moved by his Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga. The motion prised Wale out of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit in Palau, jeopardising his regional security ambitions. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters blasted the Solomons cabinet ministers, noting Pacific leaders were saddened by the situation.New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has blasted Solomon Islands cabinet ministers who moved against their leader on the eve of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau.Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has been forced home to deal…