Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin yesterday dismissed speculation Beijing could build a permanent military base in the Pacific, saying the concerns were “completely fabricated … by a few people with ulterior motives”. Despite the assurance, the issue has pushed national security forward as a key election issue of the campaign so far. And with Labor accusing PM Scott Morrison of abandoning the Pacific, the party yesterday pledged to increase foreign aid to the region by $525 million over 4 years. Labor’s Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said it would boost diplomatic and military ties with the region “and restore Australia’s place as first partner of choice for our Pacific family”. Foreign Minister Marise Payne accused Labor of “playing politics”, saying Oz was providing $2.7 billion in funding to the Pacific this year and was already the Pacific’s “security partner of choice”. #SquizShortcut