Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the new Labor government is stepping up efforts to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific region.
Albanese spoke to Today this morning as Foreign Minister Penny Wong headed to Fiji after it was seen that China was pushing for 10 Pacific countries to sign a new security agreement.
Wong will fly to Fiji today to meet with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a delegation of 20 people begin a visit to more than half a dozen Pacific countries.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to reconnect with the Pacific nations to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region. (new)
Albanese said the federal government was determined to restore Australia’s role as the chosen security partner for the region.
“It is very clear that China is looking to extend its influence to what has been since World War II … the region of the world where Australia has been the preferred security partner,” Albanese said.
The visits come after reports revealed that China wants 10 small Pacific nations to endorse a comprehensive agreement that covers everything from security to fisheries, in which a leader warns that it is a “changing” offer. the “game” of Beijing to gain control of the region.
A draft of the agreement reached by the Associated Press shows that China wants to train Pacific police officers, unite in “traditional and non-traditional security” and expand cooperation with law enforcement.
China also wants to jointly develop a marine fisheries plan, which would include lucrative tuna catches in the Pacific, increase cooperation on the operation of the region’s Internet networks, and establish Confucius classrooms and cultural classrooms.
Under a security agreement between the Solomon Islands and China, the superpower’s naval ships could be allowed to dock in the country, 1,700 km off the coast of Queensland. (AP)
Albanese said Australia would step up its efforts in the Pacific and attend the Pacific Islands Forum in July.
“It is important that we propose a comprehensive policy on the reactivation of the Pacific in elections,” he said.
“We will take it upon ourselves to implement it urgently and get in touch with our friends in the Pacific Islands and make sure they know that Australia wants to remain their preferred security partner, but also partners to deal with their economic growth and climate change ”.
Albanese also noted that renewed ties with Indonesia will be a priority in the coming months.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang is embarking on a tour of the Pacific nations in support of a proposed security deal with Beijing. (AP)
“I think it really helped the government … to get it up and running,” he said.
“The next visit will be to Indonesia. That will also be important.”
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