China Warns PNG Against Australia Defense Pact After Treaty Delay

1 DAY AGO·UPDATED 1 DAY AGO

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Above: Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape shakes hands with China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Port Moresby on April 21, 2024. Image copyright: AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

The joint communique represents a significant step forward in Australia-PNG relations, establishing core principles for a historic defense alliance that PNG itself initiated — having made clear to China that it has "security partners of choice." Both leaders confirmed the treaty text has been agreed upon and will proceed through proper democratic processes, demonstrating respect for institutional procedures rather than rushing important agreements.

X RNZ

Government-critical narrative

The joint communique with PNG is being spun as a procedural delay, but it's a clear setback. Australia's repeated diplomatic failures in the Pacific — botching defense deals with Vanuatu and PNG — expose a foreign policy mindset trapped by excessive dependence on America and irrational fear of China. The government's rush to secure defense treaties before meeting Trump shows it views everything through the lens of U.S. alliance obligations rather than Pacific communities' actual needs for wellbeing and security.

Australian Financial Review The Guardian

Pro-China narrative

Australia's contradictory approach of pursuing economic benefits with China while simultaneously building military alliances against Beijing represents an unsustainable two-faced policy that escalates regional tensions. The defense pact with PNG clearly targets China's legitimate interests in the Pacific — exposing Australia's calculations to benefit from trade while undermining China's core security concerns through exclusive military arrangements.

China Daily