https://www.scmp.com/rss/512386/feed Ian Kemish is Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry at the University of Queensland. He is a former Australian diplomat who served, among other roles, as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. He is a nonresident fellow with the Lowy Institute, and represents Bower Group Asia in the region. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Papua New Guinea last week put the media spotlight on one of Canberra’s most important international relationships. Much of the coverage focused on the plans, confirmed by Albanese and his PNG counterpart, James Marape, for a defence treaty between the two countries – and the role this might play in warding off China’s growing engagement in the region. But PNG should not just be seen as important because of China, or the prospect that... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3207089/australia-should-look-beyond-china-factor-boosting-ties-papua-new-guinea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3207089/australia-should-look-beyond-china-factor-boosting-ties-papua-new-guinea?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:00:10 +0000 Successive Australian governments have lined up over recent decades to emphasise the importance of the Pacific region to Australian interests. While there are some differences in emphasis between the two major parties’ approach to the Pacific, we can expect considerable continuity in Australia’s approach to the region if there is a change of government in May. Regional capitals will be early destinations for newly-elected ministers. The Pacific will remain the main focus of the Australian aid... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3174828/pacific-challenges-await-next-australian-government-amid-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3174828/pacific-challenges-await-next-australian-government-amid-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Apr 2022 20:00:22 +0000