Papua New Guinea isn’t considering a policing deal with China and instead believed it was “crystal clear” Australia should be its partner of choice, its foreign minister says.
Following the departure of Chinese Premier Li Qiang from Australia, a group of senior federal ministers visited Port Moresby for annual ministerial talks with the PNG government in a bid to strengthen security ties.
China approached PNG with a policing deal as the nation struggled to contain the outbreak of deadly tribal violence.
Asked what stopped the government from going ahead with the proposal, PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko said Australia remained the Island nation’s traditional partner.
“We, as a government, saw it (to be) crystal clear that we will continue to support and work and partner with Australia now (and) in the future, for our security,” he said.
“No one stopped us … we make our own decisions.”
“Australia has been very gracious with its partnership with us regarding police and defence support. This discussion, we will look at assessing the bilateral security agreement and how it is progressing for the benefit of both countries as well.”
Efforts by Beijing to forge policing and military agreements with Pacific nations has alarmed both Australia and the U.S.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the two nations shared deep ties.
“What we do with you (PNG) we do not do at this scale or this depth or this breadth with any other country, and that reflects the relationship that we are speaking about and that is exemplified here today,” she said.
The Albanese government has announced a host of law enforcement and justice measures aimed at bolstering PNG’s domestic security.
Australia will help its neighbour store and secure firearms amid concerns police weapons are being used in tribal violence.
PNG experienced one of its worst massacres earlier this year following a clash between tribes in the country’s Highlands which left at least 49 people dead.
