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Australia To Sign New Security Pact With Pacific Neighbour Amid China's Threat

Australia and Papua New Guinea have yet to release details of their planned new treaty, but Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that it will be based on the two countries' deep trust

Australia and neighbouring Papua New Guinea (PNG) announced on Thursday that they are finalising a new security treaty, posing a challenge to China's growing assertiveness in the region.

Last year, China signed its own security treaty with the neighbouring Solomon Islands, raising fears of a military buildup in the South Pacific region.

Australia and PNG have yet to release details of their planned new treaty, but Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that it will be based on the two countries' deep trust.

He said that during World War II battles, the people of Papua New Guinea demonstrated heroism and humanity.

“In the coming years, Australia and Papua New Guinea will have the opportunity to add to our shared history of service in the cause of peace,” Albanese said. “Deepening our defence ties and strengthening our national security cooperation, as well as completing negotiations on a Bilateral Security Treaty as soon as possible,” he added.

Albanese made the remarks during a historic address to the Papua New Guinea Parliament, the first by a foreign leader since the country's independence in 1975.

“Australia and Papua New Guinea are the closest neighbours, and we are the best of friends,” Albanese explained.

Albanese said the treaty would address PNG's needs, such as strengthening the justice system and resolving law-and-order issues.

PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape responded by welcoming Albanese and saying the two leaders would meet later Thursday to fine-tune their relationship, including “support for the law and justice sector, including police and military exchanges.”

According to Marape, the safety of both countries is intertwined. He stated that Australia was more than just a bilateral partner, but also a parent nation because PNG was administered by Australia before gaining independence.

“You can't talk about the Indo-Pacific without talking about Papua New Guinea because we're right in the heart and centre of this confluence, the Indo-Pacific confluence,” Marape said. “In order for PNG to participate in a safer Indo-Pacific region, Papua New Guinea must be economically stronger,” he added. 

Albanese wished to expand bilateral trade “in everything from coffee and cocoa to fisheries and tourism” as well as collaborate with PNG on nation-building projects such as upgrading ports, roads and digital infrastructure.

Since Albanese's election victory in May 2022, the tense relationship between Australia and China has thawed somewhat. Last month, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing to resume long-stalled China-Australia talks on foreign and strategic issues.


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