What's happened
Australia has signed a significant treaty with Nauru, granting Canberra veto power over Nauru's security and infrastructure agreements with third parties, particularly China. In exchange, Australia will provide AU$140 million in support over five years, enhancing Nauru's security and economic stability.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that the treaty mandates Nauru consult Australia before entering agreements with third parties, particularly in security sectors, emphasizing the goal of containing Chinese influence. The Independent highlights that this agreement mirrors a previous deal with Tuvalu, reinforcing Australia's strategic interests in the region. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post notes that Nauru's shift away from Taiwan towards China has raised concerns, making this treaty vital for both nations' security. Bloomberg adds that this pact elevates the relationship between Australia and Nauru, marking a significant step in regional diplomacy.
How we got here
The treaty follows rising concerns over China's influence in the Pacific, particularly after its security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022. Nauru's recent diplomatic shift away from Taiwan towards China has heightened these concerns, prompting Australia to strengthen its ties with the island nation.
More on these topics
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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Nauru, officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country and microstate in Oceania, in the Central Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, 300 km to the east.
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David Ranibok Waiau Adeang is a Nauruan politician, currently serving as President of Nauru. Adeang is the former Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru, and Nauru's Minister of Finance and Justice, as well as the Minister Assisting the President of Nauru.
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Solomon Islands is a sovereign state consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of 28,400 square kilometres.
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Tuvalu is an island country in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. Its islands are situated about midway between Hawaii and Australia.