Australia and Papua New Guinea Delay Defence Pact Amid Rising Chinese Influence in the Pacific

As geopolitical tensions continue to rise in the Pacific region, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have postponed the signing of a mutual defence pact. This decision comes on the heels of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s unsuccessful attempt to finalize a security partnership with Vanuatu, highlighting the challenges Australia faces in strengthening its defence ties in the area.

Recent Developments in Defence Partnerships

Last week, Vanuatu’s government coalition partners raised concerns regarding the proposed security partnership with Australia, which is valued at approximately $500 million Australian dollars (around $326.5 million). The apprehensions stemmed from fears that the deal could restrict Vanuatu’s access to infrastructure financing from other nations. Despite these concerns, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed confidence in the AUKUS plan—a trilateral security pact involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—that aims to provide Australia with advanced US nuclear propulsion technology for next-generation submarines.

However, Australia’s efforts to solidify defence relationships with both PNG and Vanuatu are complicated by ongoing reviews of the AUKUS submarine agreement, which remain under scrutiny by the Pentagon.

The Defence Communique with PNG

In a recent meeting in Port Moresby, Prime Minister Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape signed a “defence communique” rather than the anticipated mutual defence treaty. Albanese acknowledged that while the wording of the treaty had been agreed upon, the official signing would need to wait. He indicated that he expected the treaty to be finalized in the “coming weeks.”

Marape expressed a more optimistic outlook, stating that collaborating on defence matters is mutually beneficial for both Australia and PNG. He emphasized the importance of their partnership in light of regional security challenges.

Delays and Challenges

The delay in signing the defence treaty with PNG was attributed to a lack of quorum among PNG cabinet members, preventing them from endorsing the agreement. Albanese mentioned that waiting a bit longer to finalize the treaty was “perfectly understandable.” He stressed the importance of ensuring that all necessary approvals are in place before proceeding.

In a separate context, during a press interaction, Albanese faced criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who suggested that the Australian leader’s actions were detrimental to Australia’s relationship with the United States. Trump emphasized the need for Australia to remain a key security partner for the US, indicating that any perceived missteps could affect bilateral relations.

The Strategic Context of Defence Deals

Both the proposed defence agreements with PNG and Vanuatu are part of Australia’s broader strategy to counteract China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. China has emerged as Vanuatu’s largest external creditor, financing significant infrastructure projects through loans to Chinese firms. This dynamic has raised concerns in Australia and the US about the potential implications for regional security and influence.

Marape clarified that the delay in signing the mutual defence treaty with Australia was not influenced by China, asserting that the decision was solely based on internal PNG processes. He reiterated that Australia is viewed as a preferred security partner, indicating a commitment to strengthening their defence collaboration.

Upcoming Engagements

Amid these discussions, Prime Minister Albanese is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, where he may further address issues related to regional security and international partnerships.

The situation in the Pacific remains fluid, with Australia navigating complex geopolitical landscapes as it seeks to bolster its defence relationships in response to China’s rising presence.

Key Facts

– Australia and PNG have delayed the signing of a mutual defence pact amid rising Chinese influence in the Pacific.
– Concerns from Vanuatu’s government coalition partners led to a review of a proposed $500 million security partnership with Australia.
– The AUKUS plan, which includes collaboration with the US and UK, remains under review by the Pentagon.
– A “defence communique” was signed between Albanese and Marape, with expectations for the treaty to be finalized in the coming weeks.
– China is Vanuatu’s largest external creditor, raising concerns about regional security implications.
– Albanese is set to attend the UN General Assembly next week, where further discussions on regional security may occur.

Source: www.aljazeera.com