By Blessing Nweke
Australia and Fiji have signed a landmark defence agreement aimed at strengthening regional security and deepening cooperation as Canberra steps up efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific.
The new Ocean of Peace Alliance is Australia’s fourth formal defence partnership, following agreements with the United States, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. It is Fiji’s first formal defence alliance.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the pact as one of the most significant agreements Australia has ever undertaken with another country. The deal includes more than A$1 billion (over US$650 million) in Australian funding over the next decade to support Fiji in tackling transnational crime, improving healthcare and upgrading infrastructure.
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called the treaty a “defining moment” in relations between the two nations and said it marked a major elevation of bilateral ties.
Responding to questions about Beijing’s reaction, Rabuka said he believed China would welcome the agreement, stressing that it does not threaten Fiji’s relationship with China or Australia’s ties with Beijing.
Australia has intensified diplomatic and security engagement across the Pacific since China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in 2022, raising concerns in Canberra and its allies over the possibility of a future Chinese military presence in the region.
Last week, Albanese also signed Australia’s first comprehensive strategic partnership with Vanuatu, recognising Australia as its primary policing partner and ruling out the establishment of foreign military bases there.
Albanese will continue his Pacific tour with visits to the Solomon Islands and meetings with leaders from Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea to advance regional security cooperation.
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