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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daniel Hurst and Katharine Murphy

China’s Pacific plan is ‘clear’ but so is Australia’s intention to be regional partner of choice, Penny Wong says

Australia's new Foreign Minister Penny Wong
Penny Wong, Australia’s new foreign minister, is expected to meet with Fiji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Australia has responded to reports that China is pursuing a Pacific-wide security pact with almost a dozen nations, stating that while Beijing’s intentions were clear “so too are the intentions of the new Australian government” to be the partner of choice in the region.

China will seek a regional deal with 10 Pacific island nations covering policing, security and data communications cooperation when the foreign minister, Wang Yi, hosts a meeting in Fiji next week, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

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