International Minister Penny Wong is continuous Australia's diplomatic pushback towards China within the Pacific.
Ms Wong will go to leaders in Samoa and Tonga over the subsequent few days, providing social and financial assist with a view to strengthen ties.
Her go to comes after each nations signed offers with China.
Ms Wong was sworn in on Might 24 and is making her second journey to the Pacific in 9 days. Final week she addressed the Pacific Islands Discussion board in Fiji.
Throughout that point, China's International Minister Wang Yi has visited 5 Pacific nations, signed a dozen bilateral agreements however didn't clinch a safety and commerce cope with 10 international locations.
Earlier than leaving Australia final evening, Ms Wong pledged to work for higher relations with Pacific international locations.
"We perceive that we have to work collectively like by no means earlier than, for our peoples and for generations to come back.
"We need to make a uniquely Australian contribution to assist construct a stronger Pacific household."
Wang final Saturday informed Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa that China "doesn't goal the third events and doesn't search unique rights" in working with Pacific international locations.
"China is prepared to reinforce communication with all international locations that care about Pacific Island International locations, particularly Australia and New Zealand, and provides full play to respective strengths to hold out extra trilateral cooperation on the premise of respecting Pacific Island international locations' needs," he stated, in line with a Chinese language readout of the assembly.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will fly to Indonesia on Sunday.
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- Reported with Related Press