Albanese urged to make Pacific ‘priority’ after China’s surprise move

Australia is being urged to prioritise more bilateral treaties in the Pacific after China’s shock move in the region.

The Albanese government has been urged to fast-track plans for new agreements with pacific nations after Nauru switched its loyalties from Taiwan to China. 

The Daily Telegraph previously revealed the Commonwealth was eyeing deals with Nauru and Kiribati following a historic migration and security deal with Tuvalu.

The heart of the Taiwan-China conflict is Beijing’s failure to recognise Taiwan as a self-governed independent nation.

On Monday night it was revealed that Nauru, which previously recognised Taiwan, has now shifted its diplomatic recognition to China — a move the Taiwanese government labelled as “a direct challenge to the international order”.

The Nauru announcement has not deterred the Albanese government’s ambitions in the Pacific and work on potential bilateral agreements that would see Australia support smaller nations with needs like migiration, climate change support and defence, remains underway.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanes. Photo: Gaye Gerard

Defence expert Michael Shoebridge said it was now even more crucial that the Albanese government ink agreements with Nauru to thwart off Chinese influence. 

“The Chinese government has put a lot of cash to get this shift in recognition. A Tuvalu kind of arrangement is something that is much more substantial than just cash,” he said.

“It would be a much bigger political thing for the Nauruans to achieve and it would give them economic sustainability in a way Chinese cash can’t.

“It makes it a policy priority (for Albanese) to keep negotiations going. We need to keep doing these deals with nations like Kiribati and Vanuatu.”

Nauru President David Adeang, Foreign Minister Lionel Aingimea, Anthony Albanese and Pat Conroy.

Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy said Nauru had informed the federal government that it was switching diplomatic recognition to China before it was announced publicly.

“I can be very clear that we were aware in advance of the announcement,” he said.

“This was a decision by the sovereign government of Nauru and we respect their decision.

“I would make the point that three Pacific Island Forum members recognise Taiwan, 13 members recognise the People’s Republic of China, including Australia, and we’ve got excellent relations with every single Pacific island nation, including those who recognise the PRC.”

On the sidelines of the Pacific Island Forum, Mr Albanese announced Australia will be supporting Tuvalu by taking in climate refugees under a new visa category and assisting the tiny island nation with its security needs.

In exchange, Australia gets veto powers over any security deals Tuvalu makes with other nations, including China.

Originally published as Albanese urged to make Pacific ‘priority’ after China’s surprise move