Penny Wong to visit Fiji for talks on security, climate change

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will visit Fiji in one of her first actions in the job, as China’s influence over the Pacific heats up.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to Fiji this week in an effort to strengthen Australia’s partnership with the Pacific nation.

Ms Wong said the fact the visit would take place in her first week in the job “demonstrates the importance we place on our relationship with Fiji and on our Pacific engagement”.

“Australia will listen to our Pacific partners as we work together to face our shared challenges and achieve our shared goals – including tackling climate change, pandemic recovery, economic development and regional security,” Ms Wong said in a statement.

Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong visited Tokyo this week. (Photo by Issei Kato - Pool/Getty Images)

Her visit coincides with tour of eight Pacific nations by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as Canberra and Beijing compete for influence in the region.

Mr Wang’s trip, which will begin in the Solomon Islands, was confirmed by Chinese state media this week.

In her statement, Ms Wong said she would meet Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and other senior government ministers during the visit, which will begin on Thursday.

The leaders were in Tokyo for the Quad meeting. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)

The discussions will focus on regional security and building a “stronger Pacific family”.

Climate change action will also be on the agenda, including during a planned speech by Ms Wong at the secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum.

“(Australian) commitments include taking real action on climate change at home and with our region, as well as increased development assistance and security co-operation, and reforming and expanding our Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme,” Ms Wong said.

“I look forward to sharing our ideas on how we seek to bring together Australia‘s defence, strategic, diplomatic and economic capabilities to support our region’s priorities.”

The Fiji trip follows a visit to Japan with the new Prime Minister for the Quad meeting of Australian, Indian, Japanese and US leaders.

Penny Wong said her Fiji visit demonstrated Australia’s commitment to the region. (Photo by David Gray/Getty Images)

Anthony Albanese pledged Australia’s commitment to climate change, which he called the “main economic and security challenge for the island countries of the Pacific”, during the Tokyo visit.

In a much harsher stance on emissions reductions than his predecessor Scott Morrison, Mr Albanese told the Quad Australia would reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 – a move welcomed particularly by Mr Biden.

“We will bring more energy and resources to securing our region as we enter a new and more complex phase in the Pacific’s strategic environment,” he said.

Mr Albanese also committed to seeking to improve relations with China, on the condition that Beijing scrapped its trade ban on Australian exports.

He said Australia was committed to the “peace and security” of the Indo-Pacific.