Melbourne, Australia (AP) – Australia and Papua New Guinea leaders signed between major bilateral countries Defense Treaty Monday, when China believes it is unfairly targeting it.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Malape described the agreement as a mutual defense treaty that would allow for the unprecedented integration of their defense forces and military personnel.
This is the only alliance-level security agreement in Australia other than the Anzus Convention, signed with the United States and New Zealand in 1951. This is the first treaty of Papua New Guinea, Australia’s closest neighbor and former colony.
The treaty will take effect after it is ratified by the parliaments of both countries.
Albanese said it was a great honor for Australia to have their neighbors become the latest alliance these days.
“The treaty includes a mutual defense obligation similar to Australia’s commitment to the Anzus Convention, where we declare that in the event of an armed attack on any country, we will act to respond to a common danger,” Albanese told reporters at a joint press conference with Malape at the Australian Capitol.
“Our country also agrees that it has not carried out or has no contracts to compromise the implementation of this treaty,” Albanese added.
After Malape and Albanese signed a participation statement in support of the core principles of the treaty last month, the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea issued a statement that such bilateral agreements “should not be exclusive in nature and should not be restricted or prevented from cooperating with third parties for any reason.”
“We should also refrain from targeting third parties or undermining legitimate rights and interests,” the embassy posted on social media.
Marap said Monday that the treaty did not erode Papua New Guinea’s dominant foreign policy.
“This is not a treaty that establishes the enemy, not a treaty that integrates friendship with China. We were transparent – Australia became the security partner of choice and told them they understand,” Malape said.
Marap said the treaty strengthened the security partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
The US and Australia have been increasing military ties with Papua New Guinea in recent years. It is seen as a strategically important partner in combating China’s growing influence in the Pacific.
Security relations are a balancing act in Papua New Guinea and also calls for closer economic cooperation with China.
Australia has stepped up efforts to strengthen ties with the region’s island nation since 2022 when Beijing attacked Security Transactions In the Solomon Islands, where China’s naval bases were raised in the South Pacific Ocean.
Outside of Australia and New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga are the only South Pacific Island countries with military forces. Australia is negotiating a bilateral defense agreement with Fiji.
The three Pacific Island countries have changed their diplomatic perceptions from Taiwan to Beijing since 2019, due to China’s growing influence in the region. The United States and its allies have been particularly involved in the growing shaking of Chinese security guards through police training in Fiji, Kilibati, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. Vanuatu.
