The anxiety caused by China’s planned security deal with the Solomon Islands shows that Australia, New Zealand, the US and Japan fear losing their influence in the Pacific — but are struggling to do anything about it.

When the draft agreement — whereby Beijing could send police to quell local unrest and Chinese warships could stop in local ports for replenishment and repairs — was leaked last month, the powers that have traditionally dominated the region voiced grave concern.

The security worries are understandable. If the Chinese navy gained a foothold in the Solomon Islands, it could block maritime access lanes to Australia — both for trade and for the Australian military, an ally the US would rely on in the event of conflict with China in the region. But the reaction also highlights that Canberra and its allies’ sole focus on geopolitics has undermined their regional influence.