<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They are neighbours, friends and in many cases family, but now the Pacific Islands are being seen as vital in the struggle for power in our region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>With China's influence growing, Australia is pushing back, turning Wallabies into ambassadors.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was the guest of honour in Newcastle as part of a charm offensive aimed at a pivotal player in the Pacific power struggle.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-hit-by-police-car-kings-cross-sydney/41b24a22-25f4-49b2-a007-458f46dea356" rel="" target="" title="French man hit by police car as officers respond to brawl in Sydney"><strong><span>French man hit by police car as officers respond to brawl in Sydney</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>With China investing billions into infrastructure projects across the Pacific Islands, Australia and our allies – unable to compete financially –have turned to sport as part of a bigger-picture approach. Fijian workers on a specialty Pacific visa class were in the stands.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We provide a lot of support for rugby in the Pacific – it's an important way of connecting up with a lot of young people," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/darling-downs-zoo-queensland-woman-bitten-by-big-cat/c94d0a80-530c-4ce5-9c41-562caa77a07d"><strong><span>Zoo worker 'loses arm' after being 'grabbed' by big cat at Queensland zoo</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/pacific-island-relations-fiji-prime-minister-australia/af8486d6-8f16-428e-b440-1c2ebc558801" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That essentially is about family. We are all part of the Pacific family - we have an important responsibility."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Rugby union is the code of choice for Fiji, with the new NRL team vital for Papua New Guinea, our nearest neighbour.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The contest for hearts and minds in the Pacific has been made harder with the Trump administration cuts to American financial aid in the region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are managing, and in three years hopefully things will change," Rabuka said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Deputy Nationals leader Kevin Hogan said "Obviously China are an important trading partner for us".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/weather-forecast-new-south-wales-thunderstorms-coming-after-week-of-wild-weather/3f171e46-a7b5-426c-8520-ffdae757e319"><strong><span>Thunderstorms coming for large parts of NSW</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have issues with China - we have things we need to talk about their leadership as well," he told Sky's </span><em><span>Agenda.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prime ministers jointly presented the Vuvale bowl to the winning Wallabies today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trust and cooperation in uncertain times is a much bigger prize.</span></div></div>