Star Metro - Australia signs defence alliance with Pacific nation Fiji

The Ocean of Peace alliance elevates Fiji to one of Australia's few treaty allies and binds each nation to come to the other's "mutual defence".

China sent waves through the region in 2022 when it signed a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands, stoking fears it could one day lead to a permanent military presence.

Australia has greatly upped its diplomatic efforts in response, securing new deals with the likes of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tuvalu.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the pact with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka during a trip to capital Suva.

Photos showed Albanese sipping Fiji's traditional kava drink at a welcome ceremony before the alliance was signed.

"The alliance reinforces Australia and Fiji's commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and secure region," said Australia's foreign affairs department.

Fiji joins the United States, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea as Australia's fourth treaty-bound ally.

Under the deal, the two nations agree to consult each other over any "security-related development" that threatens their sovereignty.

"The purpose of this treaty is to recognise and affirm the commitment between the parties to protect their sovereignty, secure their mutual defence and security interests and contribute to the stability and security of the Pacific," the deal reads.

Fiji grew closer to China under former prime minister Frank Bainimarama, who seized power in a coup in 2006.

Bainimarama turned to Beijing for economic support after his coup resulted in damaging trade sanctions against Fiji.

- China 'understands' -

But China's influence has waned since Rabuka entered office in 2022, favouring Fiji's traditional partnerships with Australia and New Zealand.

Rabuka condemned suggestions in 2025 that South Pacific nations such as Fiji might one day host a permanent Chinese military presence.

"If they want to come, who would welcome them? Not Fiji," he said at the time.

"And I think that China understands that well."

Australia and Vanuatu signed a sweeping security agreement in June that bars the establishment of any foreign military base in the Pacific nation.

China in response warned Australia against playing "geopolitical games".

Beijing has spent hundreds of millions of dollars building sports stadiums, presidential palaces, hospitals and roads in Pacific island nations.

Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Nauru have in recent years severed longstanding diplomatic links with Taiwan in favour of China.

M.Johnston--SMC