Australia should lead the creation of a formal Five Eyes-style intelligence club in the Pacific amid the alleged threat of China’s growing presence in the region, a prominent foreign policy think tank suggests.
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Dubbed “Pacific Eyes”, the proposed intelligence-sharing alliance could help plug institutional gaps that “external powers” – particularly Beijing – were eager to exploit, the Sydney-based Lowy Institute argued in a report released on Tuesday.
It recommended that the dedicated framework initially comprise Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
“The Pacific Islands have become an arena for intensifying geopolitical competition, with Beijing making unprecedented security inroads in recent years,” the study warned.
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Leaders’ meeting sees Australia and China call for increased dialogue and cooperation
Leaders’ meeting sees Australia and China call for increased dialogue and cooperation
It cited China’s 2022 security pact with the Solomon Islands, the partnership action plan with the Cook Islands signed in February, and the “increased” frequency of Chinese naval and coastguard deployments in Pacific Island waters.
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