Australia will look to finalise an upgraded security treaty with Fiji this week, as China appears to have killed off the Albanese government’s long-standing efforts to clinch a similar deal with Vanuatu.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and the Pacific Island Affairs Minister Pat Conroy flew to Suva on Tuesday for high level talks which will include efforts to strengthen regional fuel security.

This week’s visit to the Pacific nation is taking place as Beijing continues to make strategic inroads across the region where it wants to establish a permanent military presence close to Australia.

Competition for strategic influence in the southwest Pacific between China and Australia has intensified in recent years, with officials in Canberra particularly concerned about Beijing’s growing influence in Vanuatu, Kiribati and Solomon Islands.

Last month Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat sternly denied claims his country was on the cusp of signing a security pact with China called the “Namele Agreement” and pointedly warned it would not be “dictated to” by Australia.

A local report cited Australian officials in Port Vila being concerned the deal could have security elements, which might “affect agreements” and undermine Vanuatu’s push for the Albanese government to ease visa restrictions.

At the same time Australia has been hoping to lock in the “Nakamal Agreement” with Vanuatu, a landmark security and development pact between the two countries, which was given initial approval in 2025, but hopes of securing the deal are now fading.

Last month China’s ambassador to Vanuatu also announced more than 50 of the Pacific nation’s police officers had participated in short-term training programs funded by Beijing.

In 2022 neighbouring Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China sparking fears from Australia, New Zealand and the United States that Beijing could eventually establish a naval base in the strategically located Pacific nation.

Before flying out of Canberra, Senator Wong and Minister Conroy issued a statement declaring “Australia and Fiji share a strong and enduring partnership, guided by a common interest in a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region”.

The Australian Ministers will this week meet with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his Cabinet to discuss progress towards the Vuvale Union, a new treaty aimed at enhancing the partnership between both nations.

“The Vuvale Union will be a transformative agreement to strengthen strategic, economic and institutional cooperation between Fiji and Australia,” Ministers Wong and Conroy said.

During their talks the ministers will also discuss the deepening energy crisis sparked by the Iran war and Fiji’s critical role as a supply and storage hub for fuel distribution across the Pacific.

“Australia will continue to stand alongside Fiji and other Pacific Island partners to address fuel security challenges, including advocating for open and stable global supply routes so essential shipments can reach our region,” Senator Wong said.

Pat Conroy, who has made dozens of visits to the region in his role as Pacific Island Affairs Minister, said he was looking forward to working with leaders in Fiji “to strengthen the relationship through the Vuvale Union”.

“We recognise that after climate change, transnational crime is a top security threat for the region. That’s why we’ll discuss how Australia can support a coordinated regional response to transnational organised crime,” Mr Conroy said.

Ministers Wong and Conroy are travelling to Fiji after The Nightly revealed on Monday that the top United States military commander for the Indo-Pacific, Admiral Samuel Paparo, had flown into the nation on his way to Australia this week.

Following The Nightly’s report, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed he had welcomed the Commander US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Sam Paparo, to Canberra on Monday.

“The work of the US Indo-Pacific Command is profoundly important for Australia, but also the countries of our region,” Mr Marles wrote on X.

“We discussed how we are cooperating more closely in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of AUKUS, including Pillar Two, which continues at pace and remains on track.”

“We also spoke about our exercises and operations in the region, and the ongoing positive contribution that American forces make during their presence in Australia.”