31 May: China's government says it remains confident it can strike a sweeping trade and security agreement with 10 Pacific Island states despite being forced to shelve its proposed agreement, but a new position paper walks back previous references on joint policing, free trade and cybersecurity.... more
30 May: Pacific Island countries agree not to sign a region-wide trade and security deal with China as Foreign Minister Penny Wong pledges to build a "stronger Pacific family" through security and defence by bringing "new energy" to the region.... more
