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Australia strikes defence alliance with Fiji in blow to China

Albanese arrives in Fiji to start three-day Pacific blitzAlbanese poised to sign major new treaty with FijiAustralia strikes surprise defence alliance with Fiji in blow to ChinaAustralia and Fiji strike new defence allianceAustralia, Fiji sign mutual defence pact to boost Pacific security

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a new defence alliance with Fiji on Monday, triggering Australia's full support if Fiji faces an outside attack.

The pact comes as China expands its economic and security ties across the Pacific, following Australia's recent security agreement with Vanuatu. This alliance marks a strategic victory for Australia as it seeks to limit China's growing influence in regional security affairs.

  • Echoing the 2013 Australia-Fiji security agreement, which was the first bilateral pact between the two nations after decades of diplomatic distance.
  • Fiji has long served as a regional hub for Pacific diplomacy, hosting the annual Pacific Islands Forum since 2000.
  • The alliance includes provisions for joint maritime patrols, a critical measure given the Pacific's vast uninsured shipping lanes.