China is increasingly projecting its military power deeper into the Pacific, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, quoted by “Reuters“, reports News.bg.
She stressed that Australia faces challenges in its efforts to maintain influence in neighboring countries.
“China continues to assert its strategic influence through economic and security mechanisms and increasingly demonstrates its military power in our region,“ Wong said. She said this was happening “without the transparency that the region expects,” and the collective security and prosperity of South Pacific nations depended on cooperation.
The minister highlighted the Pacific Islands Forum’s unification as an example of regionalism that allowed smaller and medium-sized nations to counter power asymmetries. “This is how we can ensure that we have a choice if pressure is put on us,” she said.
Australia was subject to trade restrictions from China worth A$20 billion between 2020 and 2023 over political disputes. The country has also warned Pacific island nations of the risks of economic influence as they seek to strengthen their trade ties with Beijing.
Wong noted that Australia is seeking closer economic and security integration with its neighbours and that the growing interest of external partners in the region has real implications. “We know that Australia can no longer be the sole preferred partner in the Pacific. There is no undo button,” she said.
Of the 11 Pacific island nations that have diplomatic relations with Beijing, some, including Tonga, are heavily indebted to Chinese banks. Three countries maintain ties with Taiwan.
Amid global uncertainty, Australia remains a reliable partner, having provided A$2.2 billion in development assistance in the Pacific and A$1.3 billion in climate finance.
China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, said last year that Beijing's security objectives in the Pacific islands did not constitute a military strategy and should not concern Australia.