Australia and Fiji Sign Defense Pact

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Fiji on Monday (6th) to co-sign a new defense alliance agreement named the “Ocean of Peace Alliance” with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. This marks the fourth major security and defense agreement Australia has reached with a Pacific island nation in just two years.

This Australia-Fiji agreement rarely includes a “collective defense” obligation, stipulating that if either party is attacked, the other must take action to respond. This is not only the first time in Fiji’s history that it has entered into a defense alliance with a foreign country, but it also makes Fiji Australia’s fourth official signing military ally, following the United States, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. The text of the new treaty specifically establishes an “open clause,” allowing other island nations to join. Pacific affairs experts pointed out that this move is clearly aimed at drawing in island nations with standing military forces, such as Tonga and Papua New Guinea. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon indicated on Monday that Wellington is interested in joining.

In addition to the defense pact, the two countries also signed a comprehensive agreement called the “Vuvale Union” (meaning “family” in Fijian), covering climate and economic cooperation. Australia will inject 1 billion Australian dollars (approximately 5.2 billion Hong Kong dollars) into this fund over the next decade. Albanese said at the joint press conference: “The major significance of these agreements must never be underestimated. If a foreign power attacks Fiji, it will trigger Australia’s full support for Fiji and its sovereignty.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to the Australia-Fiji defense agreement at a regular press conference yesterday, expressing hope that the relevant countries will earnestly respect the independence and autonomy of island nations, focus on the sustainable economic and social development of island nations, not target third parties, and not harm the interests of third parties. Albanese will travel to the Solomon Islands on Tuesday, where he is expected to launch negotiations on a more comprehensive strategic treaty.