China’s growing influence in Pacific Ocean microstates has raised alarm among the powers that traditionally dominated the region Australia, New Zealand and the US. If they want to halt Beijing’s advance, they must start offering more in return.
A security pact with the Solomon Islands earlier this year first showed the scope of Beijing’s ambitions, permitting China’s police and military to operate in the country. Similar deals were offered to a group of 10 countries alongside a visit by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) in May.
Wang is seeking a meeting with ministers of the island countries at
What do you get when three pandemics coincide with a drought? The most expensive chicken we have seen in years.
Prices for the world’s most consumed meat have been surging in recent months. Retail whole chickens in the US cost US$1.79 per pound (454g) last month, the highest price in 15 years of records and about 19 percent more than their 10-year average. In Thailand, the fourth-biggest exporter after the US, Brazil, and the EU, similar birds last week were at 62.50 baht (US$1.82) per kilogram, a one-third increase in six months. Wholesale frozen chickens in Brazil were going for 10.21