MELBOURNE, Australia – Australia and Fiji signed a landmark mutual defense treaty on Monday, marking a significant expansion of security cooperation between the two countries as Canberra continues efforts to strengthen its position in the South Pacific amid growing regional competition with China.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance in Fiji’s capital, Suva, alongside a separate economic agreement known as the Vuvale Union. Under the economic treaty, Australia will invest more than 1 billion Australian dollars (about $693 million) in Fiji over the next decade.
The agreements represent Fiji’s first mutual defense treaty and Australia’s fourth such pact, following longstanding defense arrangements with the United States and New Zealand under the 1951 ANZUS Treaty and a bilateral agreement with Papua New Guinea signed last year.
“The Ocean of Peace Alliance introduces a mutual defense obligation and there’s no higher obligation than to come to each other’s aid at a time of need,” Albanese told reporters.
Leaders Say Pact Is Not Directed at China
Rabuka said he did not expect the agreements to damage either country’s relationship with Beijing.
“I 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,” Rabuka said.
“It does not threaten Fiji’s relationship with China nor Australia’s relationship with China,” he added.
The signing comes as Australia seeks to reinforce its role as the preferred security partner for Pacific island nations following China’s expanding diplomatic and security engagement across the region.
Chinese Missile Test Draws Australian Criticism
The defense pact was announced on the same day Chinese state media reported that China had conducted a test launch of a long-range ballistic missile in the South Pacific.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, the missile carried a dummy warhead and was launched as part of routine military training. China previously conducted a similar intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific two years ago.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Beijing had notified Australia in advance of the launch but described the activity as destabilizing.
“I’ll leave China to speak to its intent,” Wong told reporters.
She said Australia had made clear to Beijing that the planned missile test occurred against the backdrop of China’s rapid military expansion, which lacked the level of transparency and reassurance expected by countries across the region.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the launch as a routine military exercise that was not directed at any specific country.
“We hope that the relevant countries will avoid overinterpretation,” Mao said.
Responding to questions about the Australia-Fiji defense agreement, Mao said China’s cooperation with Pacific island nations is based on mutual respect and equality and is not intended to advance political self-interest.
She also urged other countries to respect the independence of Pacific island nations and avoid actions that could harm the interests of third parties.
Australia Expands Pacific Security Partnerships
The agreement with Fiji forms part of a broader Australian effort to deepen security and economic ties across the Pacific.
Canberra accelerated its regional engagement after China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in 2022, raising concerns in Australia and its allies that Beijing could eventually establish a naval base in the South Pacific.
Albanese is scheduled to travel to the Solomon Islands on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Matthew Wale after both governments agreed to continue discussions on a possible security arrangement.
Wale said during a visit to Australia last month that his government would review the existing security agreement with China.
On Wednesday, Albanese will host Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Tongan Prime Minister Fatafehi Fakafānua in Brisbane.
Australia’s defense treaty with Papua New Guinea is due to formally enter into force on Wednesday.
Last week, Australia and Vanuatu also signed the long-awaited Nakamal Agreement, covering security and economic cooperation. The agreement followed months of negotiations after Vanuatu rejected an earlier draft over concerns it could limit the country’s ability to attract infrastructure investment.
China said last week it was concerned the Nakamal Agreement could be aimed at Beijing.
The latest agreements underscore Australia’s continued push to strengthen partnerships with Pacific island nations as regional governments seek to balance economic development, national sovereignty and strategic competition among major powers.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
Article Topics: Australia | Fiji | Pacific Security | China | Defense Alliance | Indo-Pacific | Diplomacy | Regional Security
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