Australia's Pacific diplomatic blitz and China's missile test
About this episode
The episode discusses recent developments in Australia-Pacific diplomacy and China's missile test in the region.
It's been the busiest fortnight in Australia–Pacific diplomacy in recent memory. In the space of ten days, Australia signed the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu, the Vuvale Union and a surprise Ocean of Peace Alliance with Fiji, and saw the Pukpuk Treaty with Papua New Guinea come into effect — all while marking Solomon Islands Independence Day and flagging a comprehensive treaty with Honiara by year's end. On the very same day the Fiji deals were signed, China tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile over the Pacific, sparking claims of a deliberate signal to the region. Sam Roggeveen is joined by Dr Connor Graham to unpack the missile test, why Pacific nations have responded more cautiously than Australia and New Zealand, and what China really wants from the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: Sam Roggeveen
Guest: Dr Connor Graham
Topics covered
- Australia-Pacific diplomacy
- China's military actions
- regional responses
- treaty agreements
- geopolitical tensions
Keywords
- Australia
- Pacific diplomacy
- China
- missile test
- treaties
- Vanuatu
- Fiji
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Lowy Institute
Places: Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
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- Whose rules, whose order? Southeast Asia and China’s growing power
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