China is pressuring Papua New Guinea not to agree to a mutual defense pact with Australia.
In a post on X on Sept. 18, the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea warned the island nation against agreeing to the mutual defense treaty with Australia, suggesting it “properly handle issues bearing on its sovereignty and long-term interests” and “work with China” to develop “China-PNG relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sept. 17 signed a defence communique with his PNG counterpart James Marape in Port Moresby. PNG is a constitutional monarchy and Australia’s closest neighbour.
However, the event fell short of finalising the treaty, known as the Pukpuk Treaty, which Albanese said in a Facebook post would be signed following “Cabinet processes in both countries.”…
China Threatens Papua New Guinea Over Defence Pact With Australia
