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

As China pursues Pacific-wide security pact, foreign minister says after a lost decade we've got a lot of work to do to regain Australia's position'

• China pursuing Pacific-wide security pact with 10 island nations
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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.