Australia and Papua New Guinea will formalise a landmark defence pact this week, integrating their military forces to counter China's expanding security footprint in the South Pacific. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the agreement on Monday, emphasising its role in bolstering mutual defence capabilities. The signing is set for Wednesday in Port Moresby, coinciding with Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary celebrations from Australia in 1975. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will join the events, underscoring trilateral alignment against regional geopolitical shifts.

Albanese described the pact as a "significant upgrade" in bilateral ties, enabling interoperability of defence assets and reciprocal support in times of need. It will allow citizens from both nations to serve in each other's militaries, with Australia extending citizenship incentives to Papua New Guinean recruits—a departure from its current policy limited to Five Eyes allies like the United States, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand. With Papua New Guinea's population nearing 12 million, second only to Australia's 27 million in the region, the agreement aims to fortify shared security amid growing external pressures.

The move addresses concerns over China's increasing sway, including security pacts and police training programmes in nations like Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Since 2019, three Pacific islands have switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing, heightening U.S. and allied worries. This pact builds on a 2023 security deal between Australia and Papua New Guinea, delayed six months due to protests over a separate U.S. agreement perceived as infringing on sovereignty. Experts like Oliver Nobetau from the Lowy Institute note that language affirming Australia as the "security partner of choice" without exclusivity clauses would mark a diplomatic win, respecting Papua New Guinea's emphasis on autonomy.

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Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles called the treaty "transformational", replacing a 1977 accord with newly independent Papua New Guinea. It signals Australia's strategy to deepen ties with key neighbours, including ongoing talks with Fiji and Tonga. While negotiations for a similar pact with Vanuatu stalled over fears of jeopardising Chinese infrastructure funding, the Australia-Papua New Guinea deal reinforces traditional alliances in a contested region, promoting stability through enhanced cooperation.

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