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When it comes to the Pacific, China isn’t the only regional power, with Australia seeking to counter their influence and building a network of alliances. In this video, we’re taking a look at Australia’s power play in the Pacific and its growing web of new treaties.
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Sources:
Penny Wong: Australia-China “permanent contest” in the Pacific:
https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/transcript/television-interview-abc-730-0
Growth of China’s Pacific ambitions:
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-permanent-australia-china-contest-in-the-south-pacific/
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/world/asia/china-australia-pacific.html
China’s failure to strike Pacific-wide pact:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-61630963
China-Solomon Islands deal:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/11/solomon-islands-signs-controversial-policing-pact-with-china
Wong has visited Pacific more than any predecessor:
https://ministers.dfat.gov.au/minister/pat-conroy/speech/albanese-governments-pacific-agenda-reshaping-relationships-reshaping-how-we-see-ourselves
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-permanent-australia-china-contest-in-the-south-pacific/
Tuvalu-Australia treaty:
https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/tuvalu/australia-tuvalu-falepili-union-treaty
https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/09/australia-tuvalu-falepili-union-the-first-bilateral-climate-mobility-treaty
https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/09/australia-tuvalu-falepili-union-the-first-bilateral-climate-mobility-treaty
Nauru-Australia treaty:
https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/nauru/nauru-australia-treaty
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-09/australia-nauru-treaty-locks-out-china/104702002
PNG-Australia treaty:
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-sign-mutual-defence-treaty
Vanuatu-Australia treaty:
https://www.dfat.gov.au/countries/vanuatu/vanuatu-australia-nakamal-agreement
https://apnews.com/article/australia-vanuatu-china-treaty-military-base-02620b0d8bf6155b4fc09392408fbfdf
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/australia-vanuatu-sign-security-pact/
Fiji-Australia treaties:
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/from-partnership-to-union-australia-and-fiji-sign-2-new-security-agreements/
https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/australia-and-fiji-sign-historic-vuvale-union-and-ocean-peace-alliance
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-fiji-strike-new-defence-alliance-2026-07-06/
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-suva-fiji
New Solomon Islands government: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-03/solomon-islands-china-security-pact-pacific-treaty-australia/106753784
Australia remains biggest Pacific aid partner:
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/publications/2026-pacific-aid-map-report/australia-remains-the-dominant-pacific-aid-partner
Australia’s ‘rugby diplomacy’:
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/20/australia-pushes-sporting-diplomacy-to-new-levels-in-the-pacific-01043226
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62zgemkexdo
Pacific islands hedging between Australia and China:
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3364908/how-pacific-nations-walk-tightrope-between-western-security-and-chinese-trade
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pacific-nations-reassure-beijing-canberra-s-treaties-aren-t-exclusive
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific_papua-new-guinea/593662/papua-new-guinea-pm-marape-arrives-in-china-to-strengthen-economic-links
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3364908/how-pacific-nations-walk-tightrope-between-western-security-and-chinese-trade http://wangwentao2.mofcom.gov.cn/Album/art/2025/art_5ecbc903f5c549b687c02d86e5f82243.html
00:00 – Introduction
01:11 – Australia vs China
03:18 – Australia’s new security treaties
05:49 – Other Australian engagement
07:00 – Conclusion
08:11 – Proton Mail
