Australia vies with China for Pacific influence, signs new security deal

FILE- Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who visited the island nation of Vanuatu to sign a security deal as part of an ongoing competition with China for influence in the Pacific. (Philip Fong/AP)

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia has signed a new security deal with Oceania island country Vanuatu as part of an ongoing competition with China for influence in the Pacific.

The new security pact covers humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, law enforcement, cyber security, defense, border security and maritime safety. The full text of the agreement has yet to be released.