Australia and Fiji signed a major defense treaty on Monday, bolstering ties as Canberra seeks to outmaneuver China in the South Pacific.

The signing of the treaty came shortly before China’s navy said it successfully conducted a test missile launch in the Pacific Ocean, after regional nations warned Beijing was planning to test an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The launch drew immediate condemnation from several countries in the region, including Australia, whose Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, warned that the move would “destabilize” the region.

The Ocean of Peace pact elevates Fiji to one of Australia’s few treaty allies and binds each nation to come to the other’s “mutual defense”.

China sent waves through the region in 2022 when it signed a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands, stoking fears it could one day lead to a permanent military presence.

Australia has greatly upped its diplomatic efforts in response, securing deals with the likes of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tuvalu.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the pact with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka during a trip to capital Suva. The pair also signed a second comprehensive treaty covering everything from climate action to economic cooperation.

“When it comes to security issues the Pacific family need to look after our own security,” Albanese told reporters. “The significance of these agreements cannot be underestimated.”

Fiji joins the United States, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea as Australia’s fourth treaty-bound ally. Under the deal, the two nations agree to consult each other over any “security-related development” that threatens their sovereignty.

Rabuka tried to quell concerns that China could see the treaty as a snub. “I do not expect China to have any severe pushback,” he told reporters. “It does not threaten Fiji’s relationship with China.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it hoped the pact would not harm Beijing’s interests.

The treaty between Fiji and Australia included a clause that allowed other Pacific nations to join up later.

Pacific affairs expert Tess Newton Cain said this was clearly aimed at Pacific nations with standing militaries such as Papua New Guinea and Tonga. “It’s significant because it’s very much focused on the countries that have military capacity,” she said. “It provides a very clear point of entry to have further security conversations down the track.”

Albanese will visit the Solomon Islands before returning home later this week for bilateral talks with leaders from Papua New Guinea and Tonga. (AFP)