Australia is sending seven senior ministers and its police chief to Papua New Guinea (PNG) for high-stakes security and trade talks, government officials announced on Tuesday. This initiative reflects growing concerns over China’s expanding influence and policing role in the Pacific Islands.
The Australian delegation, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Defence Minister Richard Marles, and ministers responsible for cyber security, agriculture, fisheries, trade, and international development, is set to meet with PNG officials on Wednesday. The talks will focus on strengthening economic ties and security cooperation between the two nations.
This diplomatic move comes in response to PNG’s increasing engagement with China. In January, PNG disclosed that it was in preliminary discussions with Beijing regarding policing cooperation, raising alarms in Canberra and Washington. Last year, Australia and the United States secured a defence agreement with PNG, underscoring the strategic importance of the largest Pacific Islands nation in regional security.
Australia is particularly wary of China’s growing presence in the Pacific. Beijing has already deployed police to the Solomon Islands and Kiribati and expressed intentions to aid Pacific Island countries in maintaining social order. Australia, on the other hand, insists that there should be “no role” for China in policing the Pacific Islands, emphasizing its commitment to training local security forces to address security needs.
As part of this commitment, Australia handed over a police patrol boat to PNG on Tuesday. The handover ceremony, attended by PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape and Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko, along with Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and the police chiefs of both nations, symbolized Australia’s ongoing support for PNG’s security infrastructure.
“Papua New Guinea is one of our closest and most important defence partners, and is home to our largest defence cooperation program,” said Defence Minister Richard Marles in a statement, highlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship.
The delegation’s visit coincides with Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s recent trip to Australia, underscoring the competitive dynamics between China and Australia in the Pacific region. As Australia and PNG engage in these crucial discussions, the strategic landscape of the Pacific continues to evolve, with both Canberra and Beijing vying for influence.
This visit marks a significant effort by Australia to reinforce its presence and collaboration with PNG amidst the growing geopolitical competition in the Pacific. The outcomes of these talks are expected to shape the future of regional security and economic partnerships.
