Australia pushes sports diplomacy in Pacific contest with China

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the media in Sydney, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (Sarah Wilson/AAP Image via AP)

Three Pacific Islands leaders will travel to Australia for security talks timed for a showpiece rugby league match, officials said Sunday, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mounts a sports diplomacy push to curb China’s influence.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua will travel to Australia on Wednesday, with at least one other Pacific leader also expected for bilateral security talks on the day.

Albanese will host the leaders at the final State of Origin rugby league match between Queensland and New South Wales states.

“Through one of Australia’s favourite sporting codes, we are bringing our Pacific family closer together,” Albanese said in a statement on Sunday.

Officials have privately said rugby league and rugby union, where Australian and Pacific players have significant success, offers a soft power edge over China, which does not have a history of playing the codes.

Albanese is expected to sign a security and economic treaty in Fiji on Monday, before visiting Solomon Islands on Tuesday, as Australia steps up efforts to form closer ties with its Pacific Islands neighbours and block China from taking a permanent security presence in the region.

Beijing recently faced a setback after a new government in the Solomon Islands said it would review a secret security pact that allows Chinese police in the strategic archipelago.

Beijing last week warned Canberra against playing “geopolitical games”, after Vanuatu pledged not to allow any foreign military bases while signing onto a sweeping economic and security treaty with Australia.

Australia previously committed AU$600 million ($417 million) to fund the entry of a Papua New Guinea national team into its rugby league tournament from 2028 to shore up security ties.

Australia and Papua New Guinea will formalise a defence alliance on Wednesday, coinciding with the State of Origin final.