China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, is currently on a diplomatic sweep of the Pacific, with China offering some 10 countries region-wide security and free trade agreements.
Albanese said Australia is paying a big price for cutting aid. But whatever points it might score against its predecessor, the Labor government has to put in place Australia’s response to this fresh Chinese assertiveness.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong exchanges gifts with Henry Puna, secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, in Fiji this week.Credit:Getty Images
After the Quad, Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Fiji, addressing the Pacific Islands Forum. Her speech strongly focused on the climate issue. “I understand that – under past governments – Australia has neglected its responsibility to act on climate change,” she said. “This is a different Australian government and a different Australia.”
Before the election, Labor announced a range of extra assistance measures for the small Pacific nations. But some experts believe that to counter China’s Pacific push (if it can be effectively countered), Australia needs to do better than raise climate ambition, boost aid, improve diplomacy, and build on existing labour and visa access.