China inks deal with Samoa while Australia committed to Pacific Islands plan

On Saturday, China’s foreign minister signed an agreement to strengthen diplomatic relations with Samoa, while Australia’s new leader declared he had a “complete plan” for the Pacific, as Beijing and Canberra maintained competing attempts to woo the region.

China is expanding on a security pact it recently inked with the Solomon Islands, which has disturbed the US and its allies such as Australia, who are concerned about Beijing’s increased military presence. The Pacific Islands have been prioritized diplomatically by Australia’s new center-left administration.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was sworn in on Monday, stated on Saturday that his Labor government’s strategy includes a defense training school, more funding, and re-engaging the area on climate change.

“We will be proactive in the region, we want to engage,” he told reporters.

China’s Wang Yi, on a tour of the Pacific seeking a 10-nation deal on security and trade, finished a visit to Samoa, where he met Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and signed documents including an “economic and technical cooperation agreement,” Samoa said in a statement.

“Samoa and the People’s Republic of China will continue to pursue greater collaboration that will deliver on joint interests and commitments,” it said.

Also Saturday, Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said he had a “wonderful meeting” with Australia’s Penny Wong, who had visited days after taking office to show the new government’s attention to the Pacific Islands.

“Fiji is not anyone’s backyard — we are a part of a Pacific family,” Bainimarama wrote on Twitter, posting a picture of himself and Penny Wong shaking hands.

Bainimarama looked to be referring to Scott Morrison, the conservative prime minister who was defeated in an election last weekend and once referred to the Pacific as Australia’s “backyard.”

Climate change, which Pacific Island nations see as an existential threat, was a major campaign theme.

Wong of Australia has stated that Canberra will be a partner with no strings attached, while Wang of China has expressed hope that Beijing’s ties with the Solomon Islands can serve as a regional model.

Wang was on his way to Fiji, where he is expected to advocate for the regional agreement during a meeting on Monday.

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