Australia Papua New Guinea Sign Historic Pukpuk Defense Treaty Amid China Concerns

Australia and Papua New Guinea have signed a landmark bilateral defense treaty, marking Australia's first alliance-level security pact since the 1951 ANZUS Treaty and Papua New Guinea's inaugural such agreement. The treaty establishes a mutual defense obligation whereby both nations pledge to respond collectively if either is attacked, and it aims to enhance military cooperation, joint training, and disaster response. While the treaty is aimed at strengthening security ties between the neighboring countries, China has expressed concerns, viewing the pact as exclusionary and potentially targeting its interests in the Pacific region. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape emphasized that the treaty does not undermine his country's foreign policy of being "friends to all, enemy to none," and that the agreement is driven by geographic and historical factors rather than geopolitical rivalry. The treaty also includes commitments from both nations to avoid any activities or agreements that could compromise its implementation. This development represents a significant shift in regional security dynamics amid growing geopolitical competition in the South Pacific.