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CHINA
Washington, D.C. — Chinese fishing boats’ illegal overfishing in the South Pacific has been devastating some island economies.
According to two former U.S. officials, “illegal, unregulated fishing by Chinese vessels has become common in American Samoa and Guam and as far east as Hawaii.”
American...
Apia, SAMOA — The backlog of deceased awaiting autopsies in Samoa may soon get relief with an offer of assistance from the Chinese Embassy.
The Samoa Observer newspaper reported some 18 bodies, including those of children, were lying at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital mortuary waiting...
Washington. D. C. — Washington alleges China's "aggressive" behaviour is threatening the region's stability and the sovereignty of some nations.
Sandra Oudkirk, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said there had been a range of increasingly problematic...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien has signaled that in an effort to bolster U.S. capacity and presence in the Indo-Pacific region, in Fiscal Year 2021, the US Coast Guard plans to evaluate the feasibility of basing Fast Response Cutters in American...
Ngerulmud, PALAU — Palau has urged the United States military to build bases there - in a region where Washington is pushing back against growing Chinese influence.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper visited the island nation last week and accused Beijing of "ongoing destabilising activities" in the...
Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Ministry of Health has confirmed that two Samoan sailors are in quarantine for 14 days at the Faleolo District Hospital amid fears they might be carrying China's coronavirus.
According to the Samoa Observer, the two have been at the hospital, which has been converted into a...
Nuku'alofa, TONGA — A New Zealand-based Tongan lawyer, Nalesoni Tupou, is questioning China's claim it could speak for or represent Tonga at the United Nations (UN).
That comes after Tonga lost its right to vote because of outstanding fees.
Those fees have since been repaid with Tonga's chief...
BANGKOK (AP) — Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Tuesday the U.S. will invest and trade more in Asia as it rolls out an American plan to support “sustainable” projects in Asia as a counterpoint to China’s multibillion-dollar “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative.
Ross is leading a high-...
Apia, SAMOA — China will seek to expand its economic and diplomatic influence in the South Pacific at a forum this weekend, amid growing concern from the US and its allies over Beijing’s push in the strategically important region.
Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua will lead the Chinese delegation at the...
Apia, SAMOA — China will roll out fresh offers of cash and red-carpet trips when Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua meets Pacific leaders in Samoa next week to spruik Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative.
Mr Hu, a senior Chinese Communist Party Politburo member, will try to convince Pacific...

![China’s fishing fleet ranges throughout the world’s oceans. Here, a Chinese fishing vessel is placed under escort after being caught by an Argentine warship operating illegally within Argentina’s exclusive economic zone. [photo: AFP/Argentina’s Navy Press Office] A Chinese fishing vessel under control of Argentine navy](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/chinese_fishing_vessel_web.jpg?itok=Z1BYYvV9)
![The Samoa Observer newspaper reported some 18 bodies, including those of children, were lying at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital mortuary waiting for autopsies to be performed. [SN file photo] Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_tupua-tamasese-meaole-hospital.jpg?itok=B4sFfr9o)
![Sandra Oudkirk, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Pacific Island nations were "essential partners in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific." [photo: U.S. Embassy Fili] Sandra Oudkirk,](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/us_state_dept_sandra_oudkirkweb.jpg?itok=sT3YqQ_q)
![The Sentinel-class fast response cutter is a key component of the Coast Guard’s offshore fleet that is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. They carry a crew of 24. [photo: USCG] The Sentinel-class fast response cutter](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sentinel_class_cutterweb.jpg?itok=5z3w4BLW)
![President Tommy Remengesau [photo: Office of the President / Wendy Capili-Wilkie] President Tommy Remengesau](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/palau_prez_tommy_remengesau.jpg?itok=fPZ-0b04)


![Samoan capital Apia will host the third China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development Cooperation Forum, which begins on Sunday. P[hoto: Alamy] View of Apia, Samoa](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/apia_overviewweb.jpg?itok=j2Pve_JZ)
![Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua. [photo: Justin Lloyd via The Australian] Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua.](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/chinese_vice_premier_hu_chunhua.jpg?itok=Y-hS-OdD)