Author: Isabelle Dellerba
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomes Chinese Premier Li Qiang on his arrival in Adelaide, June 15, 2024. ASANKA BRENDON RATNAYAKE / AP Australian-Chinese relations are on the mend as Chinese Premier Li Qiang visits Australia. The future of two pandas at Adelaide Zoo, symbolic of China’s soft power, is a key topic of discussion. These visits are part of efforts to improve ties strained by trade disputes and diplomatic tensions in previous years. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s positive remarks in 2023 laid the groundwork for the current thaw in relations. The visit includes stops in Adelaide, showcasing mutual interests…
South Pacific countries have not remained silent on the situation in New Caledonia, showing deep concern for the crisis. The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has called on France to establish a dialogue and mediation mission to achieve lasting peace in the region. After violent riots in New Caledonia, the death toll rose to five, prompting discussions on the need for respect for ancestral practices. The refusal to postpone the referendum on self-determination in New Caledonia caused outrage among observers in the region. The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) highlighted the importance of respecting cultural traditions, especially during trying times like the…
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano (right) sign an agreement between the two nations in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, on November 9, 2023. BEN MCKAY / EFE In a historic move, Australia offered climate asylum to the threatened Tuvalu archipelago in exchange for security leverage. The treaty, signed in November 2023, received mixed reactions within Tuvalu due to concerns about sovereignty. A subsequent memorandum clarified key points, assuring Tuvalu’s autonomy in most cases. Read more Subscribers only Australia’s offer of climate asylum to Tuvalu sparks controversy The memorandum addressed contentious clauses, emphasizing mutual agreement for…