A leading academic from the Australian National University has warned that Australia has a narrowing window of opportunity to play a greater role in the Pacific as China exerts more influence.
Senior Fellow at the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs Associate Professor Graeme Smith, who is the editor of a new book that delves into the broader themes of China’s influence in the region, said on Tuesday that security deals such as the recently signed one between China and the Solomon Islands would become more common, and Australia needs to step up its presence.
“We need to broaden our Pacific labour mobility scheme beyond agriculture and create pathways to citizenship – if Australia becomes a more Pacific country, we will be a more credible partner in the region,” he said….