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Rabuka says it may now be time for the "renewed and elevated partnership" with Australia to be elevated to a "treaty" level agreement which won't be "subject to the political whims of the winning parties in the various elections"

PM's asked whether China should play a role in Pacific security. He says Fiji has to "cope with a China that's really big" which wants to expand influence. It's a "fairly tough course to steer." He says China can play a security role boosting infrastructure but suggests that's it

Blunt from Rabuka. He's asked if China should be permitted to get a security foothold or military base in the Pacific. He says: "who would welcome them? Not Fiji." But he adds he isn't convinced Beijing *is* seeking such a presence, saying they don't need it to project power

It's hardly a state secret, but the PM has now publicly confirmed he's travelling to China soon for the annual leaders' meeting, and that he'll visit three cities: Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu (I imagine the last leg must involve a certain iconic black and white mammal)

A few days old, but: Ukraine's military claims that Laos may be preparing to send sappers to Kursk Oblast to help Russia with de-mining operations 🤯 kyivindependent.com/russia-seeks-t…

Incidentally, some exquisite timing: Albanese's first full day in China (going by public statement) will be the very day Exercise Talisman Sabre kicks off in Australia, with US personnel joining ADF+ troops from 17 other countries for large scale war games defence.gov.au/news-events/re…

Curious. I missed this. Australia's Director General of Intelligence, Andrew Shearer, visits PNG's Enga Province (which has been beset by tribal violence and an influx of weaponry) and promises to discuss ways Australia can help PNG restore law and order enga.gov.pg/high-profile-a…

This is (no surprise) very murky. Sounds like multiple countries (including some in the region) have approached Laos in the wake of this report, and Laos has told them it will *not* send any personnel to Russia

Hah (via POLITICO)

Huh

UK's special envoy for AUKUS Stephen Lovegrove on 730 last night: -Talks up "enormous" Aus contribution to AUKUS, insists he's relaxed re US review - On pace of Henderson upgrade: "schedule is King." Aus may need to "carefully" consider ramping up $/speed abc.net.au/news/2025-07-0…

You get the sense that whoever drew the 'generic loutish Westerner dunderhead' in the Laos government's Dos and Don'ts tourism brochure is working their way through a few frustrations

Brief news write on the FM's speech in Malaysia abc.net.au/news/2025-07-1…

Japan is furious with the US. PM says Tokyo “should make more efforts to become independent from the United States.” 47news.jp/12842728.html

Story for AM this morning ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to China - Anthony Albanese will fly to Shanghai on Saturday, and head to Beijing and Chengdu after that abc.net.au/listen/program…

Laos denies claim by Ukraine's military that it's preparing to send sappers to Russia to help de-mining efforts in Kursk, with state media calling it "baseless" and "fake news designed to cause confusion and damage the country’s international standing" laotiantimes.com/2025/07/10/lao…