{"id":2028736,"date":"2026-07-06T07:18:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T04:18:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2028736"},"modified":"2026-07-06T07:18:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T04:18:35","slug":"australia-and-fiji-seal-mutual-defence-pact-in-push-to-counter-china-in-pacific","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2028736","title":{"rendered":"Australia and Fiji seal mutual defence pact in push to counter China in Pacific"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/64\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_2868bc46-44d2-5bb1-acbe-1788b6418523-9826414.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2907517-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907517\" data-cid=\"9826429\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907517-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/69\/37\/189x106_cmsv2_439839f6-f993-57b9-8848-c0186553b606-9746937.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump welcomes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a summit backing efforts to end the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump attacks Meloni on Truth Social, says she needs restraining order\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907555-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2907555\" data-cid=\"9826357\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907555-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/63\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_4fed6fd4-498e-5005-bd14-4306eb8edadc-9826357.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador on enlargement: focus on substance, not titles\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907563-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2907563\" data-cid=\"9826413\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907563-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/64\/13\/189x106_cmsv2_6e848cb8-70fd-5259-9cf9-49bb40314221-9826413.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mexico City, Mexico, 05 June 2026: A female supporter covers her face as she watches Mexico lose to England at the 2026 World Cup.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mexico fans left heartbroken as World Cup dream comes to an end\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907560-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907560\" data-cid=\"9826386\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907560-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/63\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_ddb5d9ce-4ed0-556a-8f6e-fcddcc411f84-9826386.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Reactions and viral memes to FIFA\u2019s US red card reversal\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;The Trump Card&#8217;: Viral reactions to FIFA\u2019s US red card reversal\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907517-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907517\" data-cid=\"9826429\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907517-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/69\/37\/189x106_cmsv2_439839f6-f993-57b9-8848-c0186553b606-9746937.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump welcomes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a summit backing efforts to end the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump attacks Meloni on Truth Social, says she needs restraining order\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907555-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2907555\" data-cid=\"9826357\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907555-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/63\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_4fed6fd4-498e-5005-bd14-4306eb8edadc-9826357.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador on enlargement: focus on substance, not titles\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907563-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2907563\" data-cid=\"9826413\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907563-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/64\/13\/189x106_cmsv2_6e848cb8-70fd-5259-9cf9-49bb40314221-9826413.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mexico City, Mexico, 05 June 2026: A female supporter covers her face as she watches Mexico lose to England at the 2026 World Cup.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mexico fans left heartbroken as World Cup dream comes to an end\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907560-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907560\" data-cid=\"9826386\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907560-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/63\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_ddb5d9ce-4ed0-556a-8f6e-fcddcc411f84-9826386.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Reactions and viral memes to FIFA\u2019s US red card reversal\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;The Trump Card&#8217;: Viral reactions to FIFA\u2019s US red card reversal\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Fiji<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Australia and Fiji seal mutual defence pact in push to counter China in Pacific<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/64\/14\/1536x864_cmsv2_2868bc46-44d2-5bb1-acbe-1788b6418523-9826414.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Australia&apos;s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Fiji&apos;s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at State House in Suva, 6 July, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Australia&#8217;s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Fiji&#8217;s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at State House in Suva, 6 July, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1783322315\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-07-06 09:18:35 +02:00\">06\/07\/2026 &#8211; 9:18 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"09:24\">9:24<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close 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u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The signing of the defence treaty comes on the same day that Chinese state media reported a submarine had test-launched a long-range ballistic missile in the South Pacific, a move criticised by Australia.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Australia and Fiji signed a new bilateral defence alliance on Monday in a second major diplomatic win within a year for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese against Chinese influence in the South Pacific.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance in Fiji\u2019s capital Suva.<\/p>\n<p>They also signed an economic treaty, the Vuvale Union, under which Australia will invest more than 1 billion Australian dollars (\u20ac606 million) in its island neighbour over a decade.<\/p>\n<p>The alliance is Fiji\u2019s first mutual defence treaty. It is Australia\u2019s fourth, following a treaty with the United States and New Zealand signed in 1951 and the bilateral treaty signed with Papua New Guinea last year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Ocean of Peace Alliance introduces a mutual defence obligation and there\u2019s no higher obligation than to come to each other\u2019s aid at a time of need,\u201d Albanese told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>Rabuka did not expect a negative reaction from Beijing to the new treaties.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI do not expect China to have any severe pushback on either government. And I believe that they will welcome the understanding that is between Australia and Fiji,\u201d Rabuka told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt does not threaten Fiji\u2019s relationship with China nor Australia\u2019s relationship with China,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>The signing of the defence treaty comes on the same day that Chinese state media reported a submarine had test-launched a long-range ballistic missile in the South Pacific, a move criticised by Australia.<\/p>\n<p>The missile was tested as part of routine training and carried a dummy warhead, according to the Xinhua News Agency.<\/p>\n<p>China last conducted a missile test in the Pacific two years ago, then firing an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead.<\/p>\n<p>Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who was in Fiji for the signing, did not comment on whether China had attempted to send a message by launching the missile on the same day as the Australia-Fiji security treaty was signed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/64\/14\/808x539_cmsv2_275c03de-afab-54dc-8106-2e9c0fbf790f-9826414.jpg\" alt=\"Australia&apos;s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Fiji&apos;s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Suva, 6 July, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Australia&#8217;s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Fiji&#8217;s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Suva, 6 July, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll leave China to speak to its intent,\u201d Wong told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>Wong said Beijing had informed her government in advance of the launch. She spoke before the launch was confirmed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAustralia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilising to the region,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAustralia has been clear that this&#8230;proposed test is in the context of a rapid military buildup by China which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p>Australia has been attempting to shore up its role as the security partner of choice in the region since 2022 when China struck a secretive security treaty with the Solomon Islands. That deal raised fears of a Chinese naval base being built in the South Pacific.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">EU will retaliate if China misses October trade deadline, von der Leyen says<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Australia and Vanuatu sign deal barring foreign military base on Pacific island<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Albanese will fly to the Solomons on Tuesday to meet with his counterpart Matthew Wale after the two nations agreed to further discussions on a security pact.<\/p>\n<p>Wale said while visiting Australia last month that his new government would review the deal with Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, Albanese will host Papua New Guinea\u2019s Prime Minister James Marape and Tongan Prime Minister Fatafehi Fakaf\u0101nua in the Australian city of Brisbane.<\/p>\n<p>The Australian defence treaty with Papua New Guinea, the country\u2019s nearest neighbour, takes effect on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/64\/14\/808x539_cmsv2_147bfad5-ece8-54a5-ba18-3c72e6ee60f5-9826414.jpg\" alt=\"Fiji&apos;s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, 20 August, 2024\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Fiji&#8217;s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, 20 August, 2024<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Australia and Vanuatu last week signed a long-awaited bilateral security and economic treaty that prevents China creating a military base in the island nation.<\/p>\n<p>Albanese signed the so-called Nakamal Agreement with his Vanuatu counterpart, Jotham Napat, in the Australian capital nine months after the Vanuatuan government rejected an earlier draft. Vanuatu had feared the deal would limit its ability to attract infrastructure investment.<\/p>\n<p>China expressed concern last week that the Nakamal Agreement may be targeted at Beijing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" 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class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Missile<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  China<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Defence<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Fiji<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Australia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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Trump says during Fourth of July speech<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2907286-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907286\" data-cid=\"9825461\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain and Italy send firefighting resources to Portugal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2907400-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907400\" data-cid=\"9825832\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cargo ship reports being attacked in the Red Sea, maritime agency says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907555-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907555\" data-cid=\"9826357\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907555-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/63\/57\/320x180_cmsv2_4fed6fd4-498e-5005-bd14-4306eb8edadc-9826357.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador on enlargement: focus on substance, not titles<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907496-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907496\" data-cid=\"9826135\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907496-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/61\/35\/320x180_cmsv2_cd9b5f07-2a53-5524-b9b0-a3687b8071aa-9826135.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least 10 killed in massive overnight Russian attack on Kyiv<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907529-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907529\" data-cid=\"9826270\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907529-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/62\/70\/320x180_cmsv2_4dc6a114-1d06-5aca-a3f9-9dad8571b47b-9826270.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Referee Raphael Claus shows a red card to United States&apos; Folarin Balogun in Santa Clara, 1 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    FIFA clears US star Balogun to play in World Cup after Trump call<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907556-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907556\" data-cid=\"9826358\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907556-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/63\/58\/320x180_cmsv2_2ee6a71c-1eda-5d77-a780-0b89cd00851e-9826358.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Firefighters work on a wildfire on the outskirts of the northern city of Thessaloniki, 5 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Wildfires rage in Portugal and Spain as Greece warns of toxic smoke<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906434-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906434\" data-cid=\"9820898\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906434-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/08\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_1a8da8e7-4d45-5f1c-8322-369b12630960-9820898.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"uropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen next to European Council President Antonio Costa during a press conference at the EU summit in Brussels on June 19, 20266\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EXCLUSIVE: Commission prepares enlargement reform proposals<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906960-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906960\" data-cid=\"9823790\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Switzerland\u2019s solar railway has been a success. What happens next?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907386-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907386\" data-cid=\"9825748\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Eulogist at Khamenei funeral in Iran calls for death of Donald Trump<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907365-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907365\" data-cid=\"9825672\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;The American Dream is back,&#8217; Trump says during Fourth of July speech<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907286-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907286\" data-cid=\"9825461\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain and Italy send firefighting resources to Portugal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907400-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907400\" data-cid=\"9825832\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cargo ship reports being attacked in the Red Sea, maritime agency says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Australia and Fiji signed a new bilateral defence alliance on Monday in\u00a0a second major diplomatic win\u00a0within a year for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese against Chinese influence in the South Pacific.Albanese and his\u00a0Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance in Fiji\u2019s capital Suva.They also signed an economic treaty, the Vuvale Union, under which Australia will invest more than 1 billion Australian dollars (\u20ac606 million) in its island neighbour over a decade.The alliance is Fiji\u2019s first mutual defence treaty. It is Australia\u2019s fourth, following a treaty with the United States and New Zealand signed in 1951 and the bilateral treaty signed with Papua New Guinea last year.\u201cThe Ocean of Peace Alliance introduces a mutual defence obligation and there\u2019s no higher obligation than to come to each other\u2019s aid at a time of need,\u201d Albanese told reporters.Rabuka did not expect a negative reaction from Beijing to the new treaties.\u201cI do not expect China to have any severe pushback on either government. And I believe that they will welcome the understanding that is between Australia and Fiji,\u201d Rabuka told reporters.\u201cIt does not threaten Fiji\u2019s relationship with China nor Australia\u2019s relationship with China,\u201d he added.The signing of the defence treaty comes on the same day that Chinese state media reported a submarine had test-launched a long-range ballistic missile in the South Pacific, a move criticised by Australia.The missile was tested as part of routine training and carried a dummy warhead, according to the Xinhua News Agency.China last conducted a missile test in the Pacific two years ago, then\u00a0firing an intercontinental ballistic missile\u00a0with a dummy warhead.Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who was in Fiji for the signing, did not comment on whether China had attempted to send a message by launching the missile on the same day as the Australia-Fiji security treaty was signed.\u201cI\u2019ll leave China to speak to its intent,\u201d Wong told reporters.Wong said Beijing had informed her government in advance of the launch. She spoke before the launch was confirmed.\u201cAustralia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilising to the region,\u201d she said.\u201cAustralia has been clear that this&#8230;proposed test is in the context of a rapid military buildup by China which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects,\u201d she added.Australia has been attempting to shore up its role as the security partner of choice in the region since 2022 when China struck a\u00a0secretive security treaty\u00a0with the Solomon Islands. That deal raised fears of a Chinese naval base being built in the South Pacific.Albanese will fly to the Solomons on Tuesday to meet with his counterpart Matthew Wale after the two nations agreed to further discussions on a security pact.Wale said while visiting Australia last month that his new government would\u00a0review the deal with Beijing.On Wednesday, Albanese will host Papua New Guinea\u2019s Prime Minister\u00a0James Marape\u00a0and Tongan Prime Minister Fatafehi Fakaf\u0101nua in the Australian city of Brisbane.The Australian defence treaty with Papua New Guinea, the country\u2019s nearest neighbour, takes effect on Wednesday.Australia and Vanuatu last week signed a long-awaited\u00a0bilateral security and economic treaty\u00a0that prevents China creating a military base in the island nation.Albanese signed the so-called Nakamal Agreement with his Vanuatu counterpart, Jotham Napat, in the Australian capital nine months after the Vanuatuan government rejected an earlier draft. Vanuatu had feared the deal would limit its ability to attract infrastructure investment.China expressed concern last week that the Nakamal Agreement may be targeted at Beijing.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/07\/06\/australia-and-fiji-seal-mutual-defence-pact-in-push-to-counter-china-in-pacific&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/64\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_2868bc46-44d2-5bb1-acbe-1788b6418523-9826414.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Trump attacks Meloni on Truth Social, says she needs restraining order Europe Today Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador on enlargement: focus on substance, not titles No Comment Mexico fans left heartbroken as World Cup dream comes to an end Culture news &#8216;The Trump Card&#8217;: Viral reactions to FIFA\u2019s US red card reversal Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2028736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2028736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2028736"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2028736\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2028736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2028736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2028736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}