Australia eyes security pact with Fiji as pushback from Beijing undermines agreement with Vanuatu (opens in new tab)

Foreign minister Penny Wong visits Fiji this week to progress the security and economic agreement Australia looks close to signing a landmark security and economic agreement with Fiji, part of the Albanese government’s efforts to contain China’s growing influence across the Pacific.But, pushback from Beijing has undermined a separate deal with Vanuatu’s government, resulting in a scaling back of a deal aimed at locking in Australia as the country’s primary security partner. Continue reading...