Pacific nation of Palau invites US to build a military base to counter China

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Admin

Move follows a visit by US defense secretary Mark Esper, who accused Beijing of ‘malign influence’ across the region

The western Pacific nation of Palau has urged the United States military to build bases on its territory – in the heart of a region where Washington is pushing back against growing Chinese influence.

US defense secretary Mark Esper visited the island nation last week as part of a Pacific tour, accusing Beijing of a “malign influence” and “ongoing destabilising activities” across the region.

‘We are in dire straits’: Pacific stands on Covid brink amid surging infections

Posted on August 29, 2020 by Admin

Rising cases in Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, and Guam raise fears of uncontrolled coronavirus outbreaks across Pacific

Surging Covid-19 cases in Guam are threatening to overwhelm the island’s healthcare system, while rapidly spreading infections across Papua New Guinea and new clusters in French Polynesia following the resumption of tourism have sparked fears of uncontrolled outbreaks in the Pacific.

The Pacific region is still the least-infected in the world – several countries remain Covid-19 free – but there are troubling surges across countries with fragile health systems ill-equipped for large numbers of infections.

‘Fear will always be there’: Covid-free island prepares to bring home stranded citizens

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Admin

Pacific nation of Palau tries to balance citizens’ right to return, with protecting its coronavirus-free status

For 143 Palau citizens trapped overseas by coronavirus travel restrictions, the journey home, always long, will be especially tortuous. To reach their Pacific island home they face six long weeks of quarantine – two in Guam, two in a hotel in Palau, and then another two weeks of self-isolation at home. They will also face at least five Covid-19 tests.

But some Palauans fear that even these measures will not be enough.

Palau’s marine sanctuary backfires, leading to increased consumption of reef fish

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Admin

Pacific nation’s protected zone has led to commercial tuna fishing vessels leaving the country

Palau’s much-touted marine sanctuary has backfired, with the fishing ban leading to an increased consumption of the reef fish in the western Pacific country – such as grouper, snapper and parrotfish – that the marine sanctuary promised to protect.

Palau introduced a new 500,000 sq km (193,000 sq mile) marine sanctuary on 1 January to much fanfare.