Beijing warned Australia against playing “geopolitical games” on Monday after Canberra signed a sweeping economic and security pact with Vanuatu that bars the establishment of a military base in the Pacific nation.

“We hope that the relevant countries will carry out cooperation with Pacific island countries that is truly conducive to the development and stability of the island nations region,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing.

“They should not target third parties, and should not use this to engage in geopolitical games,” he said when asked about the deal.

Vanuatu is at the center of strategic rivalry between China and US allies in the South Pacific, and Australia has expressed concern that Beijing is seeking a permanent security presence in the region.

The agreement commits Australia to greater economic support for Vanuatu, whose largest external creditor is China, and it stops a foreign military power establishing a base there.

The Vanuatu treaty is the latest in a string of agreements Australia has struck with Pacific island nations, seeking to curb China’s expanding security influence.

China has maintained a presence in Solomon Islands since signing a secret security pact in 2022. (AFP)