Australia Works on Security Deal With Vanuatu in Bid to Counter China’s Influence

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop speaks to Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull before a bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, June 25, 2018. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas/via Reuters

SYDNEY—Australia promised on June 25 to bolster the cyber security capabilities of Vanuatu as it agreed to begin negotiating a security treaty with its Pacific neighbor.

Australia is ramping up diplomacy in the South Pacific region to combat China’s rising influence.