Australia and Papua New Guinea Sign Historic Defense Treaty Amid Chinese Concerns
Australia and Papua New Guinea signed a historic defense treaty, allowing unprecedented military integration and mutual defense obligations, drawing concerns from China.
Overview
- Australia and Papua New Guinea formally signed a historic defense treaty, establishing a new level of security cooperation between the two nations.
- The agreement facilitates unprecedented integration of defense forces, potentially allowing up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force.
- Australian Prime Minister Albanese described the treaty as containing a mutual defense obligation, akin to Australia's existing ANZUS Treaty commitments.
- The defense pact is set to come into effect following ratification by the Parliaments of both Australia and Papua New Guinea.
- China's Embassy in Papua New Guinea expressed concerns regarding the treaty, though PNG reassured it does not undermine its primary foreign policy stance.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Australia-Papua New Guinea defense treaty neutrally, detailing its terms and the stated intentions of both nations. They include China's concerns and Papua New Guinea's reassurances about its foreign policy. The coverage provides geopolitical context regarding US and Australian efforts to counter China's regional influence, presenting diverse perspectives without editorial bias.
"The leaders of Australia and Papua New Guinea signed a major bilateral defense treaty Monday that China believes targets it unfairly."
ABC News"The deal ensures China will not have the same access to infrastructure in PNG as it does in other Pacific Islands, said Oliver Nobetau, project director of the Lowy Institute's Australia-PNG network."
BBC NewsArticles (4)
FAQ
The treaty establishes mutual defense obligations, recognizing an armed attack on either country as a threat to both, and includes provisions for expanded military cooperation such as potential recruitment of Papua New Guineans into the Australian Defence Force.
The treaty will come into effect after it is ratified by the parliaments of both Australia and Papua New Guinea and following each country’s domestic treaty-making processes.
The treaty elevates their relationship to a formal alliance, the first in over 70 years for Australia and the first for Papua New Guinea with any country, deepening strategic trust and security cooperation.
China's Embassy in Papua New Guinea expressed concerns about the treaty, likely related to regional security dynamics, although Papua New Guinea has reassured that the treaty does not undermine its primary foreign policy stance.
From January 1, 2026, eligible permanent residents who are Papua New Guinea citizens living in Australia will be able to apply to join the Australian Defence Force, following consultations to establish a recruitment pathway.
History
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