Australia vs China: How the Pacific Islands Are Becoming the Next Geopolitical Battleground
Australia is strengthening its role as the Pacific’s security partner of choice, signing new defense agreements with countries including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu as strategic competition with China intensifies. At the same time, Beijing has tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile into the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea has abruptly closed Taiwan’s representative office, raising fresh questions about China's growing influence across the region. Pacific Island nations, meanwhile, are seeking to balance Australian security ties with Chinese economic engagement while resisting pressure to choose sides. Is the South Pacific becoming the next major front in Indo-Pacific strategic competition? In this episode, we examine Australia's expanding regional role, China's growing presence and what the shifting balance of power means for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. *Recorded on July 23, 2026 at 2pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti Sung Producer: Chinyeh Chiang Videographer: Celest Kao Our guests: Jung-Ming Chang - Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) Assistant Research Fellow Michael Shoebridge - Strategic Analysis Australia Founder and Director
