This thread is for political/social events concerning those from the Pacific area like the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.
Australia has its own thread here
. Perhaps New Zealand can be here unless someone wants to give it its own thread.
Starting this up that the Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare was able to survive a no confidence vote against him in Parliament.
Edited by MacronNotes on Mar 10th 2023 at 12:57:37 PM
Good news from Fiji:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64037094
BBC reports that the opposition is able to end Frank Bainimarama’s career as prime minister after he’s ousted through a new coalition government.
Guy got in power through the 2006 coup.
Personally not surprised.
Been hearing that she plans to step down sooner or later.
Straits Time article mentions that Ardern's been under a lot of pressure. Also includes her (electoral) office targeted by someone using a sword and protestors calling her a "pretty communism".
And yeah, Tucker Carlson hates her with a passion.
Edited by Ominae on Jan 21st 2023 at 11:43:18 AM
Micronesian president has stated on the record that he's been briefed regarding the planned discharge of water from Fukushima. Said that Japan's been honest with him.
Wasn't sure where to post this but I guess the issues of Oceania would fall under the category of East Asian politics.
Panuelo Letter on Switch to Taiwan and PRC Political Warfare
While it's been known for some time how the Chinese government has been trying to charm various nations in the Pacific into being more friendly towards their government, or creating financial debts and binds through construction projects, we now have the outgoing President of the Federated States of Micronesia, David W Panuelo, write an open letter going into greater detail of just how deep this issue goes, and even claim that he has been directly threatened by Chinese officials over his lack of cooperation. It's a lengthy 13-page letter, so I'll highlight some of his concerns:
- Various bribes from Chinese officials, ranging from envelopes filled with money, new smartphones, or offers for free airplane rides from the FSM to Hawaii or any Chinese affiliated territories
- Frequent attempts to coerce or bribe FSM officials into signing laws, creating offices, or drafting policies beneficial to Chinese interests - DESPITE President Panuelo repeatedly refusing them
- China attempting to place a former intelligence official as the ambassador to the FSM, despite the President rejecting him
- Using Ocean Research vessels passing through as an excuse to map the ocean floor in search of resources or undersea routes for submarines (and warning off the local coast guard vessels that came too close, despite being in Micronesian waters)
- Stalking President Panuelo with Chinese security officials on several occasions
This one's concerning because China's charm offensive has been an ongoing issue for over a decade now, and we're beginning to see how deep this issue goes. For instance, something the letter doesn't mention: China has built a large casino and bought a significant chunk of land in Saipan, allowing them a disturbing amount of control over the local economy. Case in point: the Imperial Pacific Resort has threatened to shut down if forced to pay a more than $US5.6 million judgement to a former contractor. Naturally, this went over poorly with the local populace, since they were a major source of jobs on the island, and so many businesses had become reliant upon their existence, thus meaning the casino was effectively untouchable. Even worse was how all that bought up land was given individuals and companies friendly to the PRC's projects, giving them a leg up against the local competition.
EDIT: Cross-posting this from the East Asian Politics thread courtesy of a fellow Troper pointing out this thread's existence.
Wow. China definitely understands how to be "too big to jail."
Not surprising Beijing's using those methods. They've been using that in some parts of Southeast Asia.
Edited by Ominae on Mar 11th 2023 at 1:26:24 AM
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14858348
It's revealed that Micronesian president Panuelo was in "talks" from Beijing as they wanted the FSM government to pull recognition from Taiwan to China.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
To clarify, right now the FSM recognize China, but they're talking to Taiwan about switching teams. China is trying to convince them to stay.
Oh thanks. I thought FSM still recognizes Taiwan.
Yeah, currently FSM recognizes the PRC. Panuelo also mentioned wanting a $15 million total donation over 3 years from Taiwan to FSM before FSM switches recognition in the letter
i sniff ground crayons and cheeto dust
Yep... same story as what's happening to the CNMI. At least they're trying to push back as well.
Old by a couple of months. Daniel Suidani, Malaita Premier in the Solomon Islands was ousted. He's been a big Beijing critic ever since the SI formed diplomatic relations with Beijing.
https://twitter.com/CleoPaskal/status/1643862173976764416
Cleo Paskal (China specialist from Canada IIRC) posted photos taken of a letter that showed Suidani is also not allowed to retain his seat in the National Parliament.
Suidani got bipartisan support in the US to visit with a visa.
Edited by Ominae on Apr 17th 2023 at 3:22:10 AM
So in other words, the Solomon government know they're going against the voters, which is why they're deploying the police.
M84.sig
Sogavare's got nothing to lose now that he's able to secure Beijing Moolah.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67110387
The National Party in New Zealand scored a victory over Labour in the general election.
PM Christopher Luxon said that Winston Peters and David Seymour will be Deputy PM.
Peters is from New Zealand First and Seymour is from Association of Consumers and Taxpayers.
60 Minutes Australia has a documentary on Australia trying to edge with China on the Solomon Islands ever since SI "recognized" Beijing instead of Taipei.
DW on Nauru's end of Taiwanese relations.
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202401150026
Looks like Nauruan reps were asking Taiwanese officials for US$83.23 million in financial aid to ensure they can run the detention camps.
Taipei said that it's hard to shoulder it by themselves and were asking other "allies" to help out when they heard the announcement.
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202401160013
Taiwanese diplomats left without much of a fuss. This was compared to Nicaragua, where Nicaraguan officials were very pushy with the Taiwanese.
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202401230008
Been some warnings that Tuvalu could do a Nauru, but it's been averted since Tuvalu will continue to maintain ties with Taipei.
Sogavere's a true friend of China. He has high praises for Chinese governance. He says that China is no longer communist.
All I know about Oceania is that it's the only place left on Earth where you can build your hidden supervillain island lair.
Never trust anyone who uses "degenerate" as an insult.