US, Papua New Guinea sign defence pact at Pacific summit as China’s influence grows in region

The pact comes as the US and its allies try to deter Pacific island nations from forming security ties with China

Leaders of the Pacific islands say rising sea levels caused by climate change are their most pressing security priority

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PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape (left) looks on as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) speaks during a joint press conference following the US-Pacific Islands Forum at the Apec Haus in Port Moresby on May 22, 2023. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:39pm, 22 May 2023Updated: 1:33am, 23 May 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a defence cooperation pact signed with Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Monday would expand the Pacific island nation’s capabilities and make it easier for the US military to train with its forces.

Blinken and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate summits with 14 Pacific island leaders in the PNG capital Port Moresby, pledging support for the region’s priorities of health, development and climate change.

The US and its allies are seeking to deter Pacific island nations from forming security ties with China, a rising concern amid tension over Taiwan, and after Beijing signed a security pact with Solomon Islands.

Leaders of the Pacific islands, whose territories span 40 million sq km (15 million sq miles) of ocean, have said rising sea levels caused by climate change are their most pressing security priority.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the pact will expand PNG defence capacity to enhance humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and make it easy for US and PNG forces to train together. Photo: AFP

Meeting PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Blinken said the US would deepen its partnership across the board with PNG, and he expected partnerships with US businesses would bring tens of billions of dollars’ worth of new investment.