A defence deal being forged between Australia and Papua New Guinea may signal Canberra’s bid to use the Pacific island nation as a base to keep a closer watch on Chinese naval activities in the region.
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Observers said the security pact mooted last Thursday in Brisbane between Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and his counterpart Billy Joseph would foster deeper cooperation and counter Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific.
Marles said he wanted to take Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea to the “next level”, according to a statement released before the meeting.
“The shared ambition for a treaty-level agreement would expand and modernise Australia and Papua New Guinea’s defence relationship and facilitate deeper integration.”
While no timeline was given on the negotiations, Australian media reported that both sides were “keen to move rapidly” on reaching an agreement.
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China has made inroads into the Pacific Islands region in recent years, which Australia and the US have long seen as their sphere of influence.