Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local Syrian sources to Al Mayadeen: Clashes between local fighters and Israeli occupation soldiers around the Maariyah barracks in the far western Daraa countryside.
Khatib: We will reveal the documents soon.
Khatib: The operation was carried out some time ago, but we preferred to delay announcing the news to ensure the operation’s safety.
Khatib: We are refraining from revealing the methods used to transfer the documents at this time.
Khatib: The methods used to transfer the documents into Iran are just as important as the documents themselves.
Minister Khatib: We obtained additional documents that enhance Iran’s offensive capabilities.
Minister Khatib: We obtained complete nuclear documents and documents concerning “Israel’s” relations with Western countries and the United States.
Minister Khatib: What we obtained is truly a highly important intelligence treasure, strategically, operationally, and practically.
Minister Khatib: What happened is a very significant intelligence event, and it cannot be reduced to merely obtaining thousands of documents.
Minister Khatib: The documents we acquired were safely transferred to Iran.

Australia to 're-engage' on Pacific, Albanese feeling 'very positive'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 May 2022 19:24
3 Min Read

Canberra is making straining efforts to counter China's diplomatic friendliness in the Pacific.

  • x
  • Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong in Japan for Quad talks. (ABC News)
    Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong in Japan for Quad talks (ABC News)

Anthony Albanese, Australia's newly elected Prime Minister, stated that Pacific leaders have been "very positive" about Canberra's renewed engagement in the Pacific, even as China has been increasing diplomacy in its region. 

In an interview on Sunday with Sky News, Albanese blamed foreign aid cuts and "a non-engagement on values" for the failure of the Australian government's plans in the Pacific. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, visited Fiji, meeting with Fijian leaders and Pacific foreign ministers.

On Thursday, Wang started his South Pacific tour in the Solomon Islands. He is expected to discuss, with other foreign ministers, a coming draft agreement that includes a 5-year plan. 

Read more: Solomon Islands PM slams criticism of China security deal as 'very insulting'

The leaked drafts, which were obtained by AFP, were run by 10 Pacific nations and sparked concern in the West about China's diplomacy and security and economic agreements in the South Pacific region. The Financial Times noted that the agreement could allow China to assign police and military forces to the islands, an accusation that China refuted. 

Albanese argued that Australia "dropped the ball" in the region, stressing on a new key issue: climate change, which China has been working on with Pacific islands.

"For our Pacific Island neighbors, the issue of climate change is an absolute national security issue," he said.

In addition to bringing up the environment, the Australian Prime Minister also mentioned intentions to boost aid, in addition to plans to establish defense training schools in the Pacific. 

Related News

UN's Guterres sounds 'global SOS' as Pacific Ocean levels surge

Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed as new Fiji PM: Parliament

Read more: New Zealand to extend troop deployment on Solomon Islands

The school that Albanese aims to establish will involve forces from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. 

In parallel, China has recently inked a security pact with the Solomon Islands, has signed a bilateral agreement with Samoa, and is eyeing more agreements with Kiribati and Vanuatu.

Australia's "re-engagement" in the Pacific was kicked off with a visit to Fiji by Australia's new Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. According to Albanese, it was "well-received", and "the response has been very positive."

China has recently launched a campaign to work with other major powers in the Pacific region to aid in development. 

"China is willing to carry out more tripartite cooperation with other countries, especially countries with traditional influence in the region" to help accelerate development in the island countries, according to Wang on Sunday.

"It is a trip of peace, friendship and cooperation," Wang said, commenting on the nature of the meeting in a statement by the Foreign Ministry.

Wang will be in the capital of Fiji until Tuesday, meeting with Fijian leaders, as well as hosting the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Minister's Meeting. 

Key issues of the discussion, according to Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna, included "urgent and ambitious climate change action."

"We welcome China’s climate change commitments," Puna said.

Wang is expected to visit Tonga, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea to round out his tour.

  • Australia
  • Anthony Albanese
  • Fiji
  • China
  • Wang Yi
  • Solomon Islands

Most Read

The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP)

Boston Consulting Group withdraws from GHF

  • Palestine
  • 3 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An aerial view shows sections of the columns in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria, Saturday, January 25, 2025 (AP)
Arts and Culture

Syria’s ancient sites looted as artifacts flood online markets

Pope Leo XIV waves as arrives to celebrate a Mass for the Jubilee of New Religious Associations on Pentecost Day in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, on June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Politics

Pope Leo criticizes rise of nationalism, urges open borders and unity

Madleen ship faces Israeli threats as it approaches Gaza coast
Politics

Madleen ship faces Israeli threats as it approaches Gaza coast

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, right, arrives for the celebration of Republic Day in Rome, Friday, June 2, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Italy holds vote on citizenship, labor law reforms

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS