New Foreign Minister Penny Wong will head to Fiji on Thursday to start solidifying the Albanese government’s relationship with Australia’s Pacific neighbours and counter China’s moves towards greater influence in the region.
Senator Wong will meet Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, along with the country’s foreign minister and senior leaders.
“The visit, in my first week as foreign minister, demonstrates the importance we place on our relationship with Fiji and on our Pacific engagement,” she said in a statement.
Her trip comes as China seeks to strengthen security arrangements with nations across the Pacific that resemble the controversial pact struck with Solomon Islands, that triggered concern in Australia and the US.
The details of the proposed arrangements are contained in pre-written joint communiques obtained by Australian Associated Press.
They’re concerned with the outcome of a meeting between Chinese officials and the foreign ministers of 10 Pacific nations invited to talks scheduled for May 30.
Invitees include Fiji, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Niue.
The meeting will be held by videolink.
China’s description of the security arrangements resembles how Beijing officials described the pact with Solomon Islands, which they said was based on maintaining social order and safeguarding national security.
The communiques include a 32-point outcome that extends into almost every major facet of island life, from supporting language exchanges to combating climate change and increasing trade.
They also pledge cooperation between Beijing and the Pacific nations on sensitive communications infrastructure, including cyber security, customs and quarantine, and ‘optimising the layout of the marine economy”.
