SYDNEY, (Reuters) – China’s foreign ministry signed a deal to Samoa to improve diplomatic relations. Australia’s new leader stated that he has a “comprehensive strategy” for the Pacific. Meanwhile, Canberra and Beijing continued their rival efforts to win the region.

China has been promoting a security agreement it signed with Solomon Islands. This alarms the United States as well as its allies like Australia. They fear that Beijing will increase their military presence. Australia’s newly elected centre-left government made the Pacific Islands a priority in its diplomatic efforts.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister, was sworn-in on Monday. He stated that his Labor government plans include a military training school, maritime security support, and an aid boost to reengage the region with regard to climate change.

Reporters were told by him that “we will be proactive” in the area and that they want to engage.

China’s Wang Yi, on a tour of the Pacific seeking a 10-nation deal on security and trade, finished a visit to Samoa, where he met Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and signed documents including an “economic and technical cooperation agreement”, Samoa said in a statement https://www.samoagovt.ws/2022/05/press-release-samoa-visit-of-the-state-councilor-and-foreign-minister-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china-h-e-mr-wang-yi-27-28th-may-2022.

“Samoa and the People’s Republic of China will continue to pursue greater collaboration that will deliver on joint interests and commitments,” it said.

Also Saturday, Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said he had a “wonderful meeting” with Australia’s Penny Wong, who had visited days after taking office to show the new government’s attention to the Pacific Islands.

“Fiji is not anyone’s backyard – we are a part of a Pacific family,” Bainimarama wrote on Twitter (NYSE:) https://twitter.com/FijiPM/status/1530265872354332673?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet, posting a picture of himself and Penny Wong shaking hands.

Bainimarama appeared to be taking a veiled swipe at Scott Morrison, the conservative prime minister ousted in an election last weekend, who once referred to the Pacific as Australia’s “backyard”.

The election was dominated by climate change. This is a topic that Pacific Island countries consider a serious threat.

Wong from Australia stated Canberra will not be tied down to strings, and Wang of China suggested that Beijing could follow the example set by Solomon Islands.

Wang traveled to Fiji on Monday to advocate for the regional accord in the meeting that he hosted.