Papua New Guinea considers rejecting China's offer, says it's not 'apocalypse'

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) government said China made the offer before riots broke out in PNG’s capital Port Moresby on January 11, killing at least 25 people. Last year, Beijing offered to help train and equip the South Pacific nation’s police force, PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said.

"This proposal is being carefully considered because we do not want to duplicate or damage existing agreements with our traditional security partners, Australia and the United States... It will not be the end of the world if we do not reach a common understanding or agreement with China," Tkatchenko said in a statement on January 30, according to AFP.

Mr Tkatchenko said the relationship between PNG and China was “mature” and that both sides respected each other. “We are mature enough to know where we stand on issues of disagreement,” the PNG foreign minister said.

Papua New Guinea cân nhắc từ chối đề nghị của Trung Quốc, nói không phải 'tận thế'- Ảnh 1. — Chaotic scenes in PNG's capital Port Moresby in mid-January

The US and its allies in the Pacific are trying to contain China's expanding influence in the region, following shock over a secret security deal Beijing signed with the Solomon Islands in 2022.

Australia signed a security agreement with PNG last December, which included a commitment to train police. Earlier this year, PNG granted the US access to key naval bases, ports and airports.

PNG's opposition on January 30 condemned the possibility that Prime Minister James Marape's government would sign some kind of "secret" security agreement with China.

“The terrible riots in Port Moresby in mid-January were a testament to the divisions and lack of control and discipline that now pervade the PNG police force,” said Peter O’Neill, a former prime minister of PNG.

He said PNG was right to maintain relations with Australia "for domestic and regional security".

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the same day that his country remains PNG's "security partner of choice." "We are a family and we will continue to be," he told reporters.

The leader also announced that PNG Prime Minister Marape will visit Australia and address parliament in Canberra on February 8.

PNG is blessed with vast reserves of gold, gas and minerals, attracting investors from around the world, including China. However, PNG also faces many challenges due to inequality, with about 40% of the population believed to live in extreme poverty.

Riots broke out in Port Moresby after police officers went on strike and walked off the job after their salaries were mistakenly deducted without explanation. The PNG government later blamed a few "rogue" police officers for inciting and causing chaos.

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