However, Australia remains wary of China’s expanding influence in the Pacific as Canberra pursues security deals with Pacific nations to prevent Beijing from establishing any permanent military presence in the region. The southern Pacific has long been considered within the sphere of influence of Australia and its ally, the United States.
“China’s military build-up is reshaping the Indo-Pacific balance of power in ways that affect Australian security regardless of China’s ability to strike Australian territory,” the Lowy Institute said.
Within the strategically located Pacific, the Solomon Islands is seen by analysts as the nation with the closest ties to Beijing after signing a security pact with China in 2022, prompting concern from the US and intensifying Australia’s diplomatic efforts.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, on an official trip to Australia earlier this month, said his country would negotiate a comprehensive strategic treaty with Australia and review the China security agreement.
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Thomas Derpinghaus)