MELBOURNE: Australia has signed a new defence agreement with Papua New Guinea, its first in more than 70 years, as Canberra seeks to block China from expanding its security presence in the Pacific.
Under the Pukpuk defence treaty, which is the first signed by Papua New Guinea, Australia, and its northern neighbour, they are obliged to come to each other’s aid if attacked.
"This is a historic agreement," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the press in Canberra. “By continuing to build our security relationships in the region, we safeguard our own security.”
The treaty allows as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve with the Australian Defence Force, under dual arrangements.
Australia was Papua New Guinea's colonial master until the developing island nation became independent in 1975. Australia, with its population of 28 million, and Papua New Guinea, with an estimated population of roughly 10 million, are the most populous nations in the South Pacific.
The United States and Australia have both strengthened their military ties with Papua New Guinea in recent years, which is viewed as a strategically important partner in countering China’s growing influence in the Pacific.
Albanese said both nations have agreed "not to undertake any activities or enter into any agreements that would compromise the implementation of this Treaty."
"This Treaty was not conceived out of geopolitics or any other reason. But out of geography, history, and the enduring reality of our shared neighbourhood," Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape told the press. The Papua New Guinea cabinet approved the Pukpuk treaty, which translates to "crocodile," last week.
"We still retain our relationship with China and other nations," Marape added.
