The Albanese government finds itself pushed towards the Middle East while prioritizing the Pacific and Asia. China's influence in the Pacific grows as Nauru flips to its side. Relations between Canberra and Beijing remain improved but with underlying tensions. Various global challenges will test the mettle of Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The Albanese government knows its priority is the pull of the Pacific and Asia but finds itself pushed along by global currents towards the Middle East . Taiwanese voters pointedly snubbed Beijing . But China struck back with a propaganda and strategic coup of its own, picking off yet another of Taiwan’s dwindling band of diplomatic allies. The headache for Canberra is it was Nauru that flipped, giving China another avenue for influence building in the Pacific .
China’s top diplomat in Australia to give a little reminder that, while relations between Canberra and Beijing are much improved, there are still flash points bubbling away not too far below the surface. The spectre of Donald Trump returning to the White House, Xi Jinping presiding over a stumbling Chinese economy, the Middle East powderkeg, Russia’s war on Ukraine entering a third year – will test Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s mettle
Albanese Government Pacific Asia Middle East China Nauru Influence Canberra Beijing Relations Global Challenges Mettle
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