Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned on Wednesday he will likely be listening to the issues of Pacific nations after arriving in Fiji for a gathering of regional leaders.
Albanese flew to Suva for the Pacific Islands Discussion board the place the rise of China and local weather change is predicted to dominate the agenda.
International Minister Penny Wong and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy are additionally attending the two-day assembly.
"I sit up for listening over the following two days to the issues that Pacific Island leaders have ... Now we have some actual challenges on this area," Albanese mentioned.
Albanese touched down in Suva after the US launched its greatest Pacific push since World Conflict II.
He'll be part of the leaders of 17 different international locations on the assembly in Suva.
in a digital deal with to the discussion board, US Vice President Kamala Harris introduced a serious diplomatic push within the Pacific aimed to counter China's rising affect.
The incentives included extra funding for fisheries, additional help, and gives of recent US embassies within the Pacific — together with one in Kiribati, which together with the Solomon Islands seems to be shifting nearer to China.
Australia has been notably involved a safety signed between the Solomon Islands and China might see a everlasting Chinese language naval base established on the Pacific nation, 1700km from the Queensland coast.
Albanese mentioned he will likely be elevating these issues with regional leaders.
"We would be involved about any everlasting (Chinese language) presence there within the Solomons," Albanese mentioned.
"So shut, after all, to Australia and we do not suppose that's within the pursuits of the area."
"However we may have very a lot a respectful dialogue. We respect the sovereignty of countries within the Pacific."
Albanese mentioned Australia welcomed an elevated US presence within the Pacific.
"The message is obvious, that the US has a presence within the Pacific and has for an extended time frame.
"They go into the Pacific by way of their shoreline and the state of Hawaii. And the press of the US within the area is vital and we welcome the US engagement."
The Prime Minister additionally confused Australia would hear and act on Pacific nations' issues about local weather change.
"There isn't a problem extra vital than local weather change, and the brand new Australian authorities, after all, has adopted our nationally decided contribution of 43 per cent by 2030," he mentioned.
He mentioned extra money to deal with local weather change will likely be mentioned, plus migration plans for folks to maneuver to Australia together with for jobs.
"Out help for this area doesn't include strings hooked up," he mentioned.
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