Australia and Pacific Island nations must team-up to counter China’s growing regional influence as only a unified front will withstand the pressure, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says.

In her most pointed Pacific-focused speech to date, Wong outlined the issues facing the region, including Beijing’s expanding military build-up, climate change and the erosion of international rules.

“We know we are made stronger by what we do together,” she told the Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Honner Leadership Oration in Canberra on Tuesday night.

“Our collective security and prosperity depends on each other.

“This is how we can ensure that we have choices, should pressure be applied to us.

“China continues to assert its strategic influence, including through economic and security means, and is more frequently projecting its military power further into our region.

“We see the worrying pace of China’s military build-up, without the transparency that the region expects.”

Wong said international rules had not been respected in the face of newer challenges, including disinformation, interference, and cyber attacks.

“Today many of these rules and norms that matter so much to Australia, and so much to the Pacific, are being challenged,” she said.

Wong pointed to Australia’s support of a “forum-first” approach to peace in the Pacific.

This includes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joining Fiji and the Pacific Islands Forum in September to back the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration.

It called on the international community to respect sovereignty and Pacific-led approaches.

“This is our home,” Wong said.

“The growing interest and activity from external partners in the security of our region has had consequences, both intended and unintended.”

-AAP