{"id":1489,"date":"2026-07-06T06:07:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T06:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1489"},"modified":"2026-07-06T06:07:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T06:07:25","slug":"australia-and-fiji-seal-a-new-mutual-defense-pact-in-a-push-to-counter-china-in-the-pacific","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1489","title":{"rendered":"Australia and Fiji seal a new mutual defense pact in a push to counter China in the Pacific"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) \u2014 Australia and Fiji on Monday signed a new bilateral defense alliance in a second major diplomatic win<\/span> within a year for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese against Chinese influence in the South Pacific.<\/p>\n

Read more Philippine Senate opening the politically volatile impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte<\/a><\/p>\n

Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka<\/span> signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance in Fiji\u2019s capital Suva. They also signed an economic treaty, the Vuvale Union, under which Australia will invest more than 1 billion Australian dollars ($693 million) in its island neighbor over a decade.<\/p>\n

The alliance is Fiji\u2019s first mutual defense treaty. It is Australia\u2019s fourth, following a treaty with the United States and New Zealand signed in 1951 and the bilateral treaty signed with Papua New Guinea last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ocean of Peace Alliance introduces a mutual defense obligation and there\u2019s no higher obligation than to come to each other\u2019s aid at a time of need,\u201d Albanese told reporters.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Rabuka did not expect a negative reaction from Beijing to the new treaties.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not expect China to have any severe pushback on either government. And I believe that they will welcome the understanding that is between Australia and Fiji,\u201d Rabuka told reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does not threaten Fiji\u2019s relationship with China nor Australia\u2019s relationship with China,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Rabuka said the new bilateral agreements were anchored on three central pillars: deeper security cooperation, enhanced economic integration and strengthened people-to-people connection.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThis is a clear affirmation of Australia\u2019s sustained commitment to the stability, resilience and prosperity of the Blue Pacific region at a time of global uncertainty,\u201d Rabuka said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese treaties reflect our shared understanding of the evolving and interconnected challenges that are facing our region,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Read more Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine\u2019s capital kills at least 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Australia has been attempting to shore up its role as the security partner of choice in the region since 2022 when China struck a secretive security treaty<\/span> with the Solomon Islands. That deal raised fears of a Chinese naval base being built in the South Pacific.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Albanese will fly to the Solomons on Tuesday to meet with his counterpart Matthew Wale after the two nations agreed to further discussions on a security pact.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n
\nSign up for Morning Wire:<\/strong>
\n Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.\n <\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n