US-China’s ‘tense’ Pacific power play to persist after Australia-Papua New Guinea security pact

Despite the historic pact between Canberra and Port Moresby, China remains an ‘alternative partner’ for Pacific nations, an analyst says

Pacific nations are keen to protect their interests to avoid being entangled in a conflict between the major powers

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Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese (left) meets with Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape in Canberra on Thursday. Both countries signed a security pact that strengthens Australia’s place as the preferred security partner in the Pacific. Photo: AP

Published: 8:00am, 9 Dec 2023

Power tensions between the United States and China in the Pacific will continue to be “tense and dynamic” even as Australia and Papua New Guinea forge deeper relations through a newly signed historic security pact, according to analysts.

On Thursday, the two Pacific neighbours closed a legally binding bilateral security agreement to work together on defence and policing, mirroring elements of recent agreements struck between China and the Solomon Islands.

Australia is committing A$200 million (US$132 million) towards Papua New Guinea’s national security priorities.

A key US ally, Australia has been resetting relationships in the Pacific following the Solomon Islands’ controversial security pact with China, but it does not mean that the regional power contest is over, said Patrick Kaiku, a political science fellow at the University of Papua New Guinea.

Solomon Islands first agreed on a pact with China in April last year that would allow Chinese police or military personnel to help with social order or disaster relief in the Pacific nation, while Chinese naval ships could also dock for resupply and crew transfers. In July, the Solomon Islands firmed up an agreement to boost cooperation with China on law enforcement and security matters.

Since Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came into office last May, his government has signed a climate migration deal with Tuvalu last month and a defence agreement with East Timor last year. The previous Scott Morrison government was criticised for failing to preserve relations with Pacific nations.