SYDNEY, Feb 20, (V7N) – Australia announced on Thursday its plans to establish a defense treaty with Papua New Guinea, strengthening ties with a key Pacific ally amid ongoing competition for influence from China.

In a joint statement, the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to negotiating the treaty, which aims to enhance military cooperation and streamline security assistance.

"This agreement will allow our defense forces to progress towards greater integration and interoperability," said Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.

Speaking at a press conference alongside his Papua New Guinea counterpart, Marles highlighted the growing strategic challenges in the region.

"In an increasingly complex global environment, working closely with our closest allies is essential. Papua New Guinea is more than an ally—it is family," he stated.

Although specific details of the treaty were not disclosed, it is expected to build upon a broader security pact signed between the two countries in 2023.

Papua New Guinea’s Defence Minister Billy Joseph emphasized the significance of the agreement, particularly given the shifting geopolitical landscape.

"With the global strategic competition at play, we have deliberately chosen our security partners," Joseph said, affirming that while Papua New Guinea has many allies, Australia remains its "closest."

Located less than 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Australia’s northernmost border, Papua New Guinea is the largest and most populous nation in Melanesia.

In response to China's increasing engagement in the Pacific, Australia has been reinforcing its presence through security agreements, aid programs, and diplomatic initiatives.

Over the past decade, China has invested billions of dollars in Pacific nations, funding infrastructure projects such as hospitals, stadiums, and roads.

This approach has yielded significant diplomatic shifts, with Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru all severing ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing.

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