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China’s increasing attention to the Pacific region has created an uncomfortable bind for Australian foreign policy: should Canberra try to compete on economic grounds, knowing that it can’t outspend Beijing, or find another way to differentiate itself? Last week, former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Peter Varghese called on Australia to do the latter and respond to China with a values-based approach. For this goal, announcing a feminist foreign policy would be a bold way for Australia to frame a values-driven policy based on equality, human rights and democracy, not only in dealings with China, but the region and indeed the rest of the world. This relatively new policy approach places gender equality at the centre of international development, diplomacy and trade. ....