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Australia Breathes a Big Sigh of Relief After Pacific Island Countries Push Back Against China

by Eric Olander
Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama shaking hands with visiting Austrlian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Image via @FijiPM.

You can see from the expression on visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s face the palpable relief from the reception that she received in Fiji over the weekend and, no doubt, to the news that as a group, Pacific Island Countries balked at China’s plan to deepen its engagement in the region.

Wong rushed to Fiji to meet with Prime Minister Bainimarama before his meetings on Monday with Wang and emerged from the talks with a massive grin on her face (photo).

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