China warns Australia over landmark military alliance in the Pacific

Mon 6 Jul 2026 at 10:16pm

Mon 6 Jul 2026 at 10:16pm

In short:

China has warned Australia not to harm its interests in the Pacific after Anthony Albanese struck a landmark military alliance with Fiji.

The alliance could reshape the region's security architecture and draw in multiple other Pacific nations.

What's next?

The prime minister will likely discuss the new alliance with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale during his quick visit to the nation.

China has warned Australia not to harm its interests in the Pacific after Anthony Albanese struck a landmark military alliance with Fiji which could reshape the region's security architecture and draw in multiple other Pacific nations.

The prime minister and his Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka unveiled the Ocean of Peace Alliance on Monday morning, along with the Vuvale Union treaty, after months of secretive negotiations.

Fiji will become Australia's fourth official ally under the pact, with both countries promising to "act to meet the common danger, in accordance with its domestic processes" if the other faces a military attack.

Mr Rabuka also suggested he would be happy for many other countries in the region to join the pact, although Australia has signalled it is initially focused only on countries with standing militaries.

The new alliance forms part of the web of agreements which Australia is pulling together as it tries to entrench Australia's strategic position and stop China establishing a military foothold in the region.

Mr Rabuka played down the prospect of any backlash from China, telling journalists in Fiji's capital Suva that he did not expect "severe pushback" and that he believed Beijing would "welcome" the understanding reached by both countries.

But China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning issued a frosty response on Monday evening.

"We do not engage in geopolitical rivalry or seek selfish political games," she said.

"It is hoped that the country of concern will truly respect the independence of Pacific island nations, focus on their sustainability, such as economic development and avoid targeting any third party or harming the interest of any third party."

One Fiji government source also told the ABC they expected China to be "unhappy" about the agreement, but insisted the Pacific nation was determined to press ahead with the pact.

New Zealand has already welcomed the announcement, although it has not yet started any formal discussions about joining the alliance.

"As agreed by Pacific leaders, Pacific security should be led by the Pacific. The alliance reinforces this," a foreign affairs ministry spokesperson said.

Mr Albanese is likely to discuss the new alliance with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale as he makes a lightning quick stop off in the capital Honiara as the nation celebrates Independence Day.

Matthew Wale has been pushing his own idea of a regional security pact for Pacific nations, although it is not clear how this vision fits with the agreement unveiled by Mr Rabuka and Mr Albanese on Monday.

Australia and Solomon Islands agreed last month to kickstart negotiations on a new bilateral treaty with Mr Wale telling the ABC he would like to conclude the deal before the end of the year.

Both leaders are also certain to field questions about China's ballistic missile test in the Pacific on Monday which occurred just hours after the new Fiji-Australia agreement was signed.