Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister accused Joe Biden of implying that the U.S. president's uncle was eaten by cannibals in Papua New Guinea during WWII, leading to offense and tensions in the region amid China's growing influence. Australian PM's visit underscores strong ties with PNG. Marape urges U.S. to locate WWII remains in PNG, following Biden's comments. The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby did not respond. Marape met with China's Foreign Minister to strengthen relations.
US President Joe Biden announced plans to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum and block the acquisition of US Steel by a Japanese company during a speech to steelworkers in Pennsylvania. Biden accused China of cheating and using unfair practices in steel production. He emphasized the importance of fair competition and protecting American jobs from Chinese competition. Biden's administration is also investigating Chinese subsidies in the shipbuilding industry as part of efforts to boost American manufacturing.
During a visit to Scranton, Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden shared the story of his uncle, Ambrose J Finnegan, who went missing after his plane was shot down over Papua New Guinea during World War II. Biden mentioned that the area had cannibals at the time and his uncle's body was never found. Parts of the plane were later discovered by the government. Biden described his uncle as a 'hell of a guy' and highlighted his bravery in volunteering for military service.
On April 19, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng visited Harvard University and had a fireside chat with Founding Dean of Harvard Kennedy School Prof. Graham Allison. Ambassador Xie elaborated on China's policies and position on how China and the United States can leap over the "Thucydides Trap", cooperation and competition between the two countries, Belt and Road cooperation and other issues. Ambassador Xie pointed out that as the world's most important bilateral relationship, the China-US relationship is facing unprecedented challenges. Whether the younger generation can continue to enjoy the eight-decade-long peace and development as their parents did depend largely on whether China and the United States can find the right way to get along in the new era.
President Biden made a statement implying his uncle was eaten by cannibals after his plane was shot down during World War II, but the White House clarified that his uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, died when his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean and was not eaten by cannibals, attributing Biden's comments to an 'emotional moment.'
Zhang Youxia, China's second-ranking military leader, emphasized at the Western Pacific Navy Symposium the country's commitment to resolving maritime disputes through dialogue but cautioned that international law should not be distorted. He also took a firm stance on territorial disputes, stating that China would respond with force if its interests were jeopardized. The symposium, held in Qingdao, featured key figures like Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, Commander Steve Koehler of the US Pacific Fleet, and Russia's Chief of Navy Alexander Moiseyev.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced a panda loan agreement with China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) to host giant pandas at the San Francisco Zoo, marking the city's first long-term panda hosting. This continuation of panda diplomacy follows San Diego's earlier panda announcement. China, the primary habitat for pandas, leverages panda loans for diplomacy and conservation. The U.S.-China panda exchanges symbolize friendship, with China previously gifting pandas to the National Zoo in 1972. The upcoming panda arrival in San Francisco aligns with recent diplomatic exchanges between the U.S. and China amidst ongoing tensions.
The prime minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (Tok Pisin: Prai Minista bilong Papua Niugini) is Papua New Guinea's head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. The prime minister serves as the head of his party, the head of the coalition government, and the chairman of the National Executive Council.
China strongly opposes the U.S. investigation into its maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries, calling it a mistake on top of a mistake. The U.S. alleges unfair practices and dominance by China in these sectors. President Biden aims to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum imports. China denies the accusations, stating its industry development is based on innovation and market competition. The situation may escalate tensions between the two countries as they compete on toughness towards China.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to address Israel's attack on Iran, stating that the administration has no comment on the matter despite receiving advance warning. American officials were informed by Israel about the attack, but the White House aims to avoid getting involved in a potential conflict between Israel and Iran. President Biden's administration emphasizes the importance of avoiding escalation in the region and had cautioned the Israeli Prime Minister against sparking a war in the Middle East. The US shared information with G7 countries about the attack.
APEC Papua New Guinea 2018 was the year-long hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Papua New Guinea.It was the first time Papua New Guinea hosted the APEC meetings. Australia provided a quarter to a third of the cost to host the meetings and also helped with logistics and security (G4S). Three cruise ships were chartered through an Australian company to cater to the some 10,000 delegates and guests.Many of the attendees and delegations had previously attended the 2018 East Asia Summit held from 11 to 15 November in Singapore, hosted by the Chairperson Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore. Thereafter, many of the state leaders, including Prime Minister Lee of Singapore, flew from Singapore to Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is a country in Oceania that comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and its offshore islands in Melanesia (a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean north of Australia). Officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (Tok Pisin: Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; Hiri Motu: Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), it shares its only land border with Indonesia to the west and it is directly adjacent to Australia to the south and the Solomon Islands to the east. Its capital, located along its southeastern coast, is Port Moresby. The country is the world's third largest island country, with an area of 462,840 km2 (178,700 sq mi).At the national level, after being ruled by three external powers since 1883, including nearly 60 years of Australian administration starting during World War I, Papua New Guinea established its sovereignty in 1975, becoming an independent Commonwealth realm with Elizabeth II as its queen. Since Elizabeth II's death in 2022, Charles III has been the country's king. It is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations in its own right.There are 839 known languages of Papua New Guinea, making it the most linguistically diverse country in the world. It is also one of the most rural countries, with only 13.25% of its population living in urban centres in 2019. Most of its people live in customary communities. Although government estimates reported the country's population to be 9.4 million, it was reported in December 2022 that its population was in fact closer to 17 million. Papua New Guinea is the most populous Pacific island country.The country is believed to be the home of many undocumented species of plants and animals.The sovereign state is classified as a developing economy by the International Monetary Fund; nearly 40% of the population are subsistence farmers, living relatively independently of the cash economy. Their traditional social groupings are explicitly acknowledged by the Papua New Guinea Constitution, which expresses the wish for "traditional villages and communities to remain as viable units of Papua New Guinean society" and protects their continuing importance to local and national community life. Papua New Guinea has been an observer state in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 1976, and has filed its application for full membership status. It is a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Pacific Community, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
The economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is largely underdeveloped with the vast majority of the population living below the poverty line. However, according to the Asian Development Bank its GDP is expected to grow 3.4% in 2022 and 4.6% in 2023. It is dominated by the agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector and the minerals and energy extraction sector. The agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector accounts for most of the labour force of PNG while the minerals and energy extraction sector, including gold, copper, oil and natural gas is responsible for most of the export earnings.PNG's GDP growth has been driven by the extraction industries and real GDP growth per capita has averaged 4% since mid-2000. The GDP Growth rate for PNG in 2021 was at 1.3%. The country has made significant progress investing proceeds from oil and gas in infrastructure building. As a result, its major cities like Port Moresby and Lae have received increased international investor attention, giving rise to an unprecedented building boom to exploit the opportunities presented by the country's rise as a regional economic leader in the South Pacific region. This is well supported by its strategic location as a gateway from the Pacific to Asia, as well as its comparatively huge landmass and demographic profile (almost 7 times that of the rest of the smaller Pacific Island nations)The International Monetary Fund has reported that despite PNG's poverty, it is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for the bulk of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings.Budgetary support from Australia and development aid under World Bank auspices continue to sustain the economy. Australia is PNG's largest aid donor, and will provide $479.2 million of aid in 2023. In June 2021 the World Bank approved a US$100 million (PGK 352 million equivalent) operation to support Papua New Guinea in its response to COVID-19, and to lay important foundations for a sustainable recovery.
The 2024 Papua New Guinean unrest occurrred on 10 January 2024 in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby, later spreading to Lae and other cities. The unrest began following protests by security officers due to a sudden reduction in their salaries and Prime Minister James Marape's tax deduction announcement which was later retracted. The riots saw arson, looting and various civil unrests. At least 22 people were killed. Marape later declared a state of emergency for 14 days and suspended the country's police chief and several top officials.
President Biden is facing backlash from Muslim voters and organizations for supporting a $26 billion funding bill for Israel that includes aid for Ukraine and Taiwan. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) criticized the move, saying it could sever ties between the administration and the American Muslim community. CAIR described the aid as a "blank check" for Israel, allowing the purchase of weapons used in Gaza, and warned it could make the U.S. complicit in the Gaza genocide. The House passed the bill, and Biden has promised to sign it.
Peter Charles Paire O'Neill (born 13 February 1965) is a Papua New Guinean politician who served as the seventh Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2011 to 2019. He has been a Member of Parliament for Ialibu-Pangia since 2002. He was a former cabinet minister and the leader of the People's National Congress between 2006 and 2022. He resigned his position as prime minister to avoid a vote of no confidence, and he was succeeded by James Marape. O'Neill won re-election to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea in 2022 in the first round with a large majority, which is unusual in the country.
BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday expressed the country's resolve to unswervingly promote peace, stability and progress in a world overshadowed by protracted conflicts and lukewarm economic recovery. All countries rise and fall together in today's world and the sure path to meeting challenges is mutual assistance and win-win cooperation, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, goes beyond the obsolete zero-sum game mentality and points the right direction for humanity, Wang said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress. "China is ready to work with all countries to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity. The road ahead may be tortuous, but the future is bright," the top diplomat stated.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit China to address key issues, express concerns about China's support for Russia, discuss human rights abuses and unfair trade practices, and manage competition. The visit aims to maintain stability in the US-China relationship, following recent phone calls between President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping. Blinken will focus on issues in the Indo-Pacific region, urge China to encourage restraint from Iran amid tensions with Israel, and emphasize peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Cambodia for a 3-day official visit from April 21-23, 2024, to reaffirm China's commitment and boost ties with the southeast Asian country. During the visit, Wang Yi met with Cambodia's Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea and King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.
James Marape (born 24 April 1971) is a Papua New Guinean politician who has served as the prime minister of Papua New Guinea since May 2019. He has been a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since July 2007, representing the electorate of Tari-Pori Open in Hela Province in the New Guinea Highlands. He has held Cabinet Posts as Minister of Education (2008–2011), Minister of Finance (2012–2019), and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2023–present). Marape entered the 2022 elections under the banner of the Pangu Party and won more seats than any other party. He was therefore entitled to form the government. His new government was elected unopposed by the new parliament.
Israeli police have arrested two individuals after a car struck pedestrians in Jerusalem, lightly injuring three ultra-Orthodox Jews. The incident was captured on CCTV footage. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, now in its seventh month, has led to increased violence in the West Bank, with 210 bodies found in a Gaza hospital. Tensions between Israel, the U.S., and Iran have escalated, with fears of all-out war. The Israel-Hamas war has resulted in over 34,000 Palestinian deaths, significant destruction in Gaza, and a humanitarian crisis. The U.S. approved a $26 billion aid package, including funds for Gaza's humanitarian assistance and Israel.
President Biden's administration has reimposed oil sanctions on Venezuela after Nicolas Maduro's regime failed to honor an agreement for fair elections. The sanctions will expire on May 31, affecting companies conducting oil activities. Chevron Corp. is exempt, but other companies must wind down operations. The decision aims to pressure Maduro to allow inclusive elections. Renewed sanctions threaten Venezuela's economy and oil production, impacting global markets. Biden's administration seeks to avoid a return to failed maximum pressure tactics on Maduro, emphasizing the need for a democratic transition.
Salvage crews in Baltimore are focusing on clearing 3,000 to 4,000 tons of debris from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, which fell onto the cargo ship Dali. Six lives were lost in the collapse, with two individuals still missing. Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasizes the urgent need to rebuild the bridge to restore vital transportation links. President Joe Biden has called on Congress for full funding for cleanup and reconstruction. Salvage efforts aim to reopen the port's main channel by the end of the month, providing financial aid to displaced workers.
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