Australia works on security deal with Vanuatu in bid to counter China's influence

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop speaks to Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull before a bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, June 25, 2018. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas/via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia promised on Monday to bolster the cyber security capability of Vanuatu as it agreed to begin negotiating a security treaty with its Pacific neighbour, ramping up diplomacy in the region to combat China's rising influence.

The tension has fuelled a chill in relations between the two trading partners, which hit a low after Australia accused China late last year of meddling in domestic affairs and announced a crackdown on foreign interference in response.