China and Australia pushing the Pacific’s pulse

China’s Foreign Minister is on his seventh stop in Pacific, as tensions continue to rise

Wang Yi has travelled to Papua New Guinea, which is the seventh stop in his diplomatic push in the Pacific.

PNG is heading into a national election, and local media is reporting Beijing’s plans for a regional security deal are causing conflict in the island-nation.

The nation’s former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is on the campaign trail and has criticised the timing of Wang’s visit.

O’Neill believes no agreements should be signed with China before the election.

Meanwhile, Yi has been on a diplomatic tour of the Pacific, as he seeks to drum up support for greater security cooperation among island states.

The Chinese foreign minister will travel to eight countries, with Timor-Leste next on his list.

His tour has sparked concern among the U.S., New Zealand and Australia, who are fearful of China’s growing dominance in the region.

Allan Behm from The Australia Institute describes China’s strategy as “noticeable, big [and] highly theatrical”.

Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong, who recently returned from Fiji, is visiting Samoa and Tonga.

Australia is focussing on humanitarian support, and action on climate change.

Senator Wong has laid out an eight-year deal with Samoa to address human development and maritime support.

China is seeking a security and trade deal with 10 Pacific nations. Its foreign minister has so far signed a dozen bilateral agreements.

But Senator Wong says Australia is also seeking greater relations with its close neighbours.

“We understand that we need to work together like never before, for our peoples and for generations to come.”

“We want to make a uniquely Australian contribution to help build a stronger Pacific family,” she says.