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The Guardian World news
Australia eyes security pact with Fiji as pushback from Beijing undermines agreement with Vanuatu Tom McIlroy Political editor
Foreign minister Penny Wong visits Fiji this week to progress the security and economic agreementFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia looks close to signing a landmark security and economic agreement with Fiji as part of the Albanese government’s efforts to contain China’s growing influence across the Pacific.But pushback from Beijing has undermined a separate pact with Vanuatu’s government, resulting in a scal
5 May 2026 at 05:34

Australia eyes security pact with Fiji as pushback from Beijing undermines agreement with Vanuatu

5 May 2026 at 05:34

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 as part of the Albanese government’s efforts to contain China’s growing influence across the Pacific.

But pushback from Beijing has undermined a separate pact with Vanuatu’s government, resulting in a scaling back of a deal aimed at locking in Australia as the country’s primary security partner.