Australia is intensifying its efforts to curb China’s influence in the Pacific with the launch of a new “cable connectivity and resilience centre.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong will unveil the initiative during the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in Japan, alongside representatives from the United States, Japan, and India.
The Australian government has allocated $18 million (US$11.78 million) over the next four years to fund the centre, which aims to enhance technical assistance and training across the Indo-Pacific. The centre will help Pacific island governments manage undersea cables and facilitate dialogues to improve regional engagement.
Wong emphasised the centre’s significance, stating, “This is a critical demonstration of the Quad’s commitment to addressing the Indo-Pacific’s most pressing challenges.”
The new facility will be staffed by Australian public servants who will provide support and advice to Pacific nations. This move reflects a strategic effort by Australia and the U.S. to block China’s growing presence in the region. The centre follows recent agreements to build new trans-Pacific cables, part of a broader initiative to reinforce infrastructure and counteract Chinese influence.
