Penny Wong takes China fight to PNG

Australia has stepped up its support of Papua New Guinea’s ­security needs, as Penny Wong led a six-minister delegation to Port Moresby.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Picture: AFP

Australia has stepped up its support of Papua New Guinea’s ­security needs, as Penny Wong led a six-minister delegation to Port Moresby in the latest episode in what the Foreign Minister has called a “permanent contest” with China in the Pacific.

It came as US Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Stephen T. Koehler on Wednesday called out Beijing’s “revisionist and ­coercive” behaviour in the Indo-Pacific and reiterated Washington’s “iron-clad” commitment to AUKUS in a speech in Perth a day after Chinese Premier Li Qiang flew out of the city for Malaysia.

The synchronised Australian and US efforts came as Beijing called on Canberra to work with it to “stand against bloc confrontation and a new Cold War”, as it declared China’s relationship with Australia “back on track”.

The delegation visiting Port Moresby includes Defence Minister Richard Marles, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, Agricultural Minister Murray Watt, Cyber Security Minister Clare O’Neil and Assistant Minister for Trade Tim Ayres.

“A stronger and safer Papua New Guinea is good for PNG. It is also good for Australia, and good for the region,” Senator Wong said on Wednesday. “We seek to be a partner that listens … We want to be a respectful partner.”

Addressing the heightened concerns in Canberra, PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said he wanted to “reassure” the Australian delegation that the country remained committed to working with its “traditional ­security partner”.

Asked why PNG had report­edly declined a policing deal with China, Mr Tkatchenko said “we make our own decisions”.

“No one has stopped us. We’re independent,” he said.

Senator Wong announced the latest instalment in a $200m commitment from the Australian government, as Canberra works to maintain its position as PNG’s ­security partner of choice.

The funding will help support PNG’s legal system as it combats financial crime, increase access for justice to young people in remote areas, and upgrade correctional facilities. Australia has also agreed to gift PNG 12 armoured LandCruisers and continue work to safely dispose of unexploded bombs in PNG’s East New Britain and Bougainville.

Mr Marles said Australia was doing more “across the entire spectrum of national security” with its “close friends” in PNG.

“In a difficult and troubled world, we look to our traditional partners,” he said.

Beijing for years has been pressing Port Moresby to sign a ­security agreement, as it looks to step up joint-policing efforts across the Pacific.

Senator Wong was unusually candid about the extent of Canberra’s concern about China’s ­influence in the region in an interview at the beginning of the Chinese Premier’s trip to Australia.

“We’re in a state of permanent contest in the Pacific. That’s the ­reality,” she said.

As the ministers were visiting PNG, Admiral Koehler underscored Australia’s importance to America’s strategy to constrain China’s assertive behaviour in the region. “The US National Defence Strategy calls our alliances and partnerships our greatest global strategic advantage. We are acting to strengthen that advantage every day … With Australia, we’re moving out on major posture initiatives in every domain,” he said.

The admiral said China had ­become “the Indo-Pacific’s greatest alliance builder, just not as you would think”.

“While the PRC has only one ally – North Korea – and a supposedly ‘no-limits’ partnership with Russia, Beijing’s aggressive ­behaviour has helped spur new multilateral relationships throughout the region by countries appalled by PRCs ‘might makes right’ approach,” he said, noting China’s latest hostile ­encounter with the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Australia and Papua New Guinea are close neighbours, friends and equals.

An honour to join colleagues to meet with Prime Minister Marape ahead of the 30th Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby.

Together, we’re working to ensure a stable, peaceful, prosperous Pacific. pic.twitter.com/5y8PauBjmK

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) June 19, 2024