Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned that China is increasingly projecting its military power deeper into the Pacific, reflecting a growing strategic challenge for Australia and its regional partners. Speaking in Canberra on Tuesday, Wong said Beijing was asserting influence “through economic and security means” while lacking the transparency expected by neighbouring nations.
“China continues to assert its strategic influence and is more frequently projecting its military power further into our region,” she said. “This is happening without the transparency that the region expects.”
Wong stressed that regional security and prosperity depend on cooperation among Pacific nations. “Unity within the Pacific Islands Forum empowers smaller and medium-sized countries to counter power asymmetries,” she added.
Economic Pressures and Competition for Influence
The remarks come after years of strained trade relations between Canberra and Beijing. Between 2020 and 2023, China imposed trade restrictions worth A$20 billion on Australian exports during a political dispute. Australia has since warned Pacific Island countries about the risks of economic coercion as they deepen trade and infrastructure ties with Beijing.
Wong acknowledged that Australia faces daily competition for influence as more external powers seek partnerships in the Pacific. “Australia can no longer be the only partner of choice in the Pacific. There’s no rewind button,” she said.
China’s Role and Pacific Diplomacy
Currently, eleven Pacific Island nations maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing, while three among them Palau and Tuvalu recognise Taiwan. Several Pacific countries, including Tonga, are heavily indebted to Chinese state banks, underscoring Beijing’s growing economic footprint in the region.
In contrast, Wong reaffirmed Australia’s commitment as a stable and transparent development partner. She said Canberra had pledged A$2.2 billion (US$1.44 billion) in development aid to the Pacific and A$1.3 billion in climate finance to help nations address environmental challenges.
Calls for Balance and Regional Unity
Wong emphasised that cooperation, not confrontation, was essential for maintaining regional stability. “This is how we can ensure that we have choices, should pressure be applied to us,” she said, urging Pacific nations to maintain collective strength.
China’s Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, said last year that Beijing’s activities in the Pacific were not part of a military strategy and should not cause concern in Canberra.
(with inputs from Reuters)
