Australia and Papua New Guinea postpone the signing of their bilateral defense treaty.
The CNN reported that the Pukpuk treaty, a defense agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea, has faced a delay in its signing this month. The treaty aims to strengthen and expand defense cooperation between the two nations, and is expected to commit them to defending each other from armed attacks. The treaty's signing has been anticipated as a significant step in countering China's growing influence in the Pacific region. Mihai Sora, head of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, described the current situation as a 'diplomatic knife fight in the Pacific' due to China's intense lobbying against the treaty. China's approach seems to be successful, as Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru have all severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China in recent years. China has committed billions of dollars to Pacific nations over the past decade, funding various public works such as hospitals, sports stadiums, and roads. However, concerns have been raised about the treaty's potential impact on access to funds for 'critical infrastructure' from other nations. Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat expressed such concerns, stating that the agreement's wording could limit the country's ability to secure funding from other sources. Last week, Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, left talks in Vanuatu without signing an agreement aimed at deepening ties. The exact timing of the Pukpuk treaty's signing has not been specified in the available news. The Pukpuk treaty is significant as it enables the citizens of both nations to serve in each other's militaries. It also includes a clause ensuring that activities, agreements, or arrangements with third parties will not compromise the ability of either nation to implement the treaty. Papua New Guinea, to the north of Australia, is the largest and most populous state in Melanesia. The signing of the Pukpuk treaty comes 50 years after Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia. Mihai Sora mentioned that both countries had strong incentives to elevate their security cooperation during a period of intense geopolitical stress and China's growing footprint in the region. Mihai Sora also stated that China would be the only party to lose from a mutual defense arrangement between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The Pukpuk treaty, if signed, is expected to mark a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Pacific region.
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