Australia and the South Pacific need to talk.
The immediate conversation is about the duelling trips to the islands by China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, and Australia’s new foreign minister, Penny Wong.
Starting with Fiji, Wong has pledged a series of island visits to recover Australia’s status as the partner of choice in the Pacific.
Wong has a strong hand. Australia would have to play this hand incredibly badly to lose its primary role.
What we share with the islands is a potent combination of interests, institutions and values, framed by geography. Yet Australia and China have moved beyond en garde. The diplomatic duel is launched. The foreign ministers probe, parry and promise. China thrusts with strategic intent.
In the quest to recover stuff we’ve mislaid or undervalued, Australia’s polity slowly awakes to the need to remake and rebuild our media voice in the…
