Australia, PNG Sign Security Communique, Curbing China Gains

Australia and northern neighbor Papua New Guinea agreed on a new security pact timed to the Pacific nation’s 50th anniversary of independence, strengthening Canberra’s push to curb China’s influence in the region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his counterpart James Marape signed a joint communique in Port Moresby on Wednesday for a PNG-Australia defense treaty. The text of the deal has been agreed and will be signed following “Cabinet processes in both countries,” Albanese said.