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The Future of Asia 2022

Australia's Rudd: Don't 'lecture' Pacific islands on China

Former PM urges West to offer different, better development options

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 

TOKYO -- In the face of China's increasing clout in the Asia-Pacific region, other countries should seek better engagement rather than lecturing small island states, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd argued on Friday.

Rudd was speaking by video link on the second day of Nikkei's annual Future of Asia conference in Tokyo. His appearance came as Beijing makes its presence felt in the Pacific, after sealing a controversial security deal with the Solomon Islands in April.

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