China warns Papua New Guinea over defence pact with Australia
China has urged Papua New Guinea (PNG) to reconsider a potential defence agreement with Australia, warning that such a deal should not limit the Pacific nation’s ability to cooperate with other countries.
The Chinese embassy in Port Moresby stated on Thursday that while it respected PNG’s right to form bilateral treaties, any pact “should not be exclusive in nature” or undermine the rights and interests of third parties. Beijing added that PNG should uphold independence and self-reliance when making decisions affecting its sovereignty and long-term security.
This warning comes after Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Port Moresby earlier in the week in an attempt to finalize the so-called Pukpuk defence treaty with PNG. However, negotiations stalled when PNG’s cabinet failed to reach consensus, leaving the deal unsigned. Instead, both governments issued a joint communiqué outlining the treaty’s wording, signaling ongoing talks.
If signed, the agreement would bind the two nations to mutual defence commitments in case of external military threats and potentially allow citizens from both countries to serve in each other’s armed forces. The development highlights growing competition for influence in the Pacific, where Australia and China are vying for strategic partnerships.
-
11:00
-
10:50
-
10:42
-
10:30
-
10:00
-
09:50
-
09:30
-
09:20
-
09:00
-
08:50
-
08:30
-
08:20
-
08:00
-
07:50
-
17:24
-
17:10
-
16:57
-
16:50
-
16:32
-
16:00
-
15:38
-
15:37
-
15:30
-
15:00
-
14:50
-
14:50
-
14:37
-
14:30
-
14:20
-
14:00
-
13:50
-
13:30
-
13:23
-
13:20
-
13:00
-
12:50
-
12:30
-
12:20
-
12:00
-
11:50
-
11:30
