Australia eyes security pact with Fiji as pushback from Beijing undermines agreement with Vanuatu

Foreign minister Penny Wong visits Fiji this week to progress the security and economic agreement

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Australia looks close to signing a landmark security and economic agreement with Fiji as part of the Albanese government’s efforts to contain China’s growing influence across the Pacific.

But pushback from Beijing has undermined a separate deal with Vanuatu’s government, resulting in a scaling back of a deal aimed at locking in Australia as the country’s primary security partner.