Jotham Napat

Vanuatu rules out allowing a Chinese military base as part of a $500 million treaty with Australia.

Australia and Vanuatu signed a $500 million security pact explicitly barring Chinese military bases, after Australia softened restrictions on Vanuatu's infrastructure partnerships with other nations, balancing security concerns with Vanuatu's economic autonomy.

Vanuatu's PM meets with Australia's Albanese to discuss a potential treaty agreement.

Vanuatu and France are in a dispute over two contested islands in the Pacific Ocean.

China is accused of using bribes and diplomatic tactics to block Australia's stalled $500 million security treaty with Vanuatu while Australia advances similar agreements with Fiji, intensifying Pacific geopolitical competition.

Australia and Vanuatu signed a $500 million security deal after months of negotiations.

Australia and Vanuatu signed a security pact banning foreign military bases on the island.

Labor may make one last gamble before parliament's winter break amid rising tensions.

Australia must engage with Solomon Islands with mutual respect, prioritizing their needs over competition with China.

Australia pursues security agreements with Pacific nations including Fiji to counter China's regional influence, though Beijing's infrastructure investments have complicated similar pacts with Vanuatu, reflecting intensifying great power competition.

Australia and Vanuatu signed a security pact blocking foreign military bases.

Australia and Vanuatu signed a bilateral security treaty preventing China from establishing a military base on the South Pacific island, strengthening Australia's regional influence amid broader competition for Pacific geopolitical control.

Vanuatu and France are in a dispute over two contested islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister visited China in April seeking deeper infrastructure and trade ties, while Australia counters Chinese Pacific influence through sports diplomacy and defense agreements amid growing geopolitical competition.

China is accused of using diplomatic tactics and alleged bribes to block Australia's $500 million security treaty with Vanuatu while Australia advances a separate security pact with Fiji, intensifying their Pacific influence competition.