Two countries sign economic and security pact, as China expresses concern that the agreement may be targeted at it.<\/p>\n
Published On 29 Jun 202629 Jun 2026<\/p>\n
Australia and Vanuatu have signed a economic and security deal that prevents foreign military bases from being built on the Pacific island.<\/p>\n
The Nakamal Agreement was signed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Vanuatu counterpart, Jotham Napat, in Canberra on Monday.<\/p>\n
Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat this does do is to provide certainty for Australia that there will be no foreign military base,\u201d Albanese told reporters, adding that the agreement would \u201cprotect our collective and individual security and our sovereignty\u201d.<\/p>\n
Australia has committed to increased economic support for Vanuatu, which will bar the establishment of foreign military bases or infrastructure on the island and consult Australia on any third-party investment in critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a country, we have in fact passed an act in parliament not to allow any militarisation to actually be used for our critical infrastructure,\u201d Napat said.<\/p>\n
He added that the pact reaffirmed a shared commitment to\u00a0\u201ccontinuing and strengthening the comprehensive partnership between our two countries, founded on mutual respect, trust and our common vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific.\u201d<\/p>\n
China expressed concern that the agreement may be targeted at it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that cooperation between relevant countries and Pacific Island countries will contribute to the development and stability of the island region, not target any third party or be used as a tool for geopolitical rivalry,\u201d said Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n