Australia to 're-engage' on Pacific, Albanese feeling 'very positive'

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Anthony Albanese, Australia's newly elected Prime Minister, stated that Pacific leaders have been "very positive" about Canberra's renewed engagement in the Pacific, even as China has been increasing diplomacy in its region. 

In an interview on Sunday with Sky News, Albanese blamed foreign aid cuts and "a non-engagement on values" for the failure of the Australian government's plans in the Pacific. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, visited Fiji, meeting with Fijian leaders and Pacific foreign ministers.

On Thursday, Wang started his South Pacific tour in the Solomon Islands. He is expected to discuss, with other foreign ministers, a coming draft agreement that includes a 5-year plan. 

Read more: Solomon Islands PM slams criticism of China security deal as 'very insulting'

The leaked drafts, which were obtained by AFP, were run by 10 Pacific nations and sparked concern in the West about China's diplomacy and security and economic agreements in the South Pacific region. The Financial Times noted that the agreement could allow China to assign police and military forces to the islands, an accusation that China refuted. 

Albanese argued that Australia "dropped the ball" in the region, stressing on a new key issue: climate change, which China has been working on with Pacific islands.

"For our Pacific Island neighbors, the issue of climate change is an absolute national security issue," he said.

In addition to bringing up the environment, the Australian Prime Minister also mentioned intentions to boost aid, in addition to plans to establish defense training schools in the Pacific. 

Read more: New Zealand to extend troop deployment on Solomon Islands

The school that Albanese aims to establish will involve forces from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. 

In parallel, China has recently inked a security pact with the Solomon Islands, has signed a bilateral agreement with Samoa, and is eyeing more agreements with Kiribati and Vanuatu.

Australia's "re-engagement" in the Pacific was kicked off with a visit to Fiji by Australia's new Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. According to Albanese, it was "well-received", and "the response has been very positive."

China has recently launched a campaign to work with other major powers in the Pacific region to aid in development. 

"China is willing to carry out more tripartite cooperation with other countries, especially countries with traditional influence in the region" to help accelerate development in the island countries, according to Wang on Sunday.

"It is a trip of peace, friendship and cooperation," Wang said, commenting on the nature of the meeting in a statement by the Foreign Ministry.

Wang will be in the capital of Fiji until Tuesday, meeting with Fijian leaders, as well as hosting the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Minister's Meeting. 

Key issues of the discussion, according to Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna, included "urgent and ambitious climate change action."

"We welcome China’s climate change commitments," Puna said.

Wang is expected to visit Tonga, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea to round out his tour.