Australia to host Pacific leaders as China threat looms

Anthony Albanese will host a trio of Pacific prime ministers as he tries to bolster Australia’s regional influence amid the creeping threat of China.

The bilateral meetings with Papua New Guinea’s James Marape, Tonga’s Lord Fakafanua and Samoa’s La’auli Leuatea Schmidt will be followed by a Pacific rugby league event in Brisbane with all four leaders.

Mr Albanese will also host the prime ministers at the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

The prime minister has returned from a successful trip to Fiji and the Solomon Islands, during which he signed a significant defence pact with Fiji.

The Ocean of Peace Alliance, which could be expanded to other Pacific nations, makes Fiji Australia’s fourth official ally.

‘It has been patient’

Since 2023, Australia has signed treaties with Tuvalu and Nauru and an alliance with Papua New Guinea, as well as the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has requested a bilateral treaty with Australia, expanding on work done in 2017.

Mr Wale hopes to act quickly to sustain the favour of his government in what would be a decisive turn away from favouring Chinese security deals.

Henry Ivarature of the Australian Pacific Security College said Australia had done “exceptionally well” to cement itself as the regional hub for Pacific countries.

He expected continued talks to expand Australia’s presence in neighbouring islands, signalling a new era of strength for the region.

“I think Australia has learnt to listen and it has learnt to accept the way Pacific governments work. It has been patient,” he said.

But Dr Ivarature said attention would now turn to sustaining trust across a long period, something that shared interests such as rugby league were likely to help facilitate.

“You have to keep your house warm,” he said.

“These kind of agreements have to be maintained. When I travel to little islands like Tuvalu and I see Australian posts there, that is a really positive sign.”

The Brisbane talks will likely focus on expanding military and aid work in the Pacific, as China looms as a geopolitical threat.

Beijing tested a long-range missile in the South Pacific just as Australia and Fiji inked their alliance.

“It’s a very, very poor picture of relations,” Dr Ivarature said.

“The Pacific just wants to keep a region of peace.

“Australia needs the engagement with the Pacific to keep China’s influence, while not completely out, at bay.”