This week China tried to sign up 10 pacific nations to a new regional security pact.

Pacific leaders walked away from the deal – but just for now, and Chinese diplomats are hopeful they’ll get the deal done eventually.

If it happens, it would be another huge shift away from Australia by Pacific leaders.

So what is China offering? How did Australia lose the trust of our neighbours? And if China’s influence grows in the South Pacific what does it mean for us?

Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman, on the race to make deals in the South Pacific.




Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman.

This week China tried to sign up 10 pacific nations to a new regional security pact.Pacific leaders walked away from the deal – but just for now, and Chinese diplomats are hopeful they’ll get the deal done eventually.If it happens, it would be another huge shift away from Australia by Pacific leaders.So what is China offering? How did Australia lose the trust of our neighbours? And if China’s influence grows in the South Pacific what does it mean for us?Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman, on the race to make deals in the South Pacific. Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

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