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US vows for more patrols in the region

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, May 30, 2015) – The United States calls for an immediate end to China's intensifying reclamation works in the South China Sea and vows more patrols in the region.

The United States has called for an immediate end to China's intensifying reclamation works in the South China Sea and vowed to continue sending military aircraft and ships to the tense region.

US defence secretary Ash Carter told a high-level security conference in Singapore that Beijing was behaving "out of step" with international norms. But this drew a scathing response from China's foreign ministry in Beijing.

"China has reclaimed over 2,000 acres, more than all other claimants combined ... and China did so in only the last 18 months," Mr Carter said at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

"It is unclear how much farther China will go."

He said the United States was "deeply concerned" about...

Secretariat powers limited to advice, research, consultation

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, June 1, 2015) – A professor of law in the region, Tony Angelo, says the Pacific Islands Forum needs to become a legal entity so it can function fully.

He says at the moment the regional grouping does not have the power to enforce agreements like the new Framework for Pacific Regionalism it launched last year.

Professor Angelo of New Zealand's Victoria University says the organisation's institutional identity rests with the Forum secretariat which only has powers to advise, research and consult.

He says not all Forum countries have ratified a proposal to shift the legal focus to the Forum itself so leaders' dealings and decisions have bite.

"There is no one voice. if we're talking (about) the European Union, it means ultimately (the EU) comes and it has to discuss the aid to the Pacific one by one. There's nobody else to sign off...

Pohiva is attending Independence celebrations in Apia

By Taina Kami Enoka

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, June 1, 2015) – Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva urged Tongan students to take their learning skills beyond the classroom to the people, government and Samoa, before returning home.

Mr Pohiva, who is in Samoa for the Independence celebrations, attended a Tongan service at the University of the South Pacific campus at Alafua, yesterday. He was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Semisi Fakahau, Chief Secretary to Cabinet, Dr Palenitina Langaoi and Deputy CEO of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nunia Mone.

After the service, Mr Pohiva spoke in Tongan to the congregation.

His last visit to Samoa was in 1963, as a second year student at the Tonga Teacher’s College.

"That was many years ago. I can’t remember what Apia was like then."

But this trip to Samoa has blown him away.

From their arrival at Faleolo...

Trade, investment, economic cooperation with Guangdong strengthened

By Reginald Chandar

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, June 1, 2015) – The visiting Guangdong delegation from China today signed more than 20 cooperative agreements on health, tourism, timber industry, real estate, agriculture and mining with the Fijian Government.

The 18-member delegation led by Guangdong Provincial Party Secretary, Mr Hu Chunhua met with the President, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama this morning before attending the China (Guangdong) - Fiji Economy and Trade Cooperation Conference where the agreements were signed.

Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya said today’s signings further deepened relations between trade, investment and economic cooperation with the Guangdong Province and will ensure that Fiji and Guangdong Province of China maintain close relations in the implementation of the relevant cooperation initiatives....