Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are on the verge of signing a pioneering defense treaty known as the Pukpuk Treaty. This deal would further deepen their ties, institutionalizing their bonds as military partners on paper. Under this new defense pact, both countries would agree to militarily defend the other should one come under armed attack. There were hopes that the treaty would be signed on Wednesday. Since it wasn’t adopted, a non-consensus communique was released in its place. The leaders of both nations expect the final agreement to be signed within weeks.
The Pukpuk Treaty represents a new and significant shift in regional security architecture. As China’s influence in the Pacific increases, this change is more critical than ever. The treaty brings Australia and PNG closer together politically and militarily, with both countries agreeing to assist the other in a time of conflict. This alignment comes at a time when PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape is set to engage in talks with China and Indonesia regarding the treaty’s implications and parameters.
China has expressed its worries about the possible ramifications of the Pukpuk Treaty. The Chinese embassy in PNG issued a sharp protest. They called on the country to not enter into any agreements that would restrict, limit or rule out collaboration with other entities. The embassy emphasized the importance of upholding PNG’s rights to enter into bilateral treaties. They cautioned that these compacts must not become exclusive.
“Nor should it restrict or prevent a sovereign country from cooperating with a third party for any reason. It should also refrain from targeting any third party or undermining its legitimate rights and interests.” – Chinese embassy in PNG.
In its opposition to the proposed deal, the Chinese government further cautioned that PNG’s rising investment in military forces might foster political and social unrest inside PNG. Citing examples from the region, the embassy pointed to Fiji, where a disproportionately resourced military has become a political threat. Her warning goes beyond power balance issues and the region’s possibility of war between the US and China in the Pacific.
In response to these sweeping changes, PNG’s Prime Minister, James Marape has ordered Defence Minister Billy Joseph to start bilateral talks with both China and Indonesia. That’s exactly what they’ll be doing on the treaty. This conversation aims to reveal how the Pukpuk Treaty advances PNG’s larger foreign policy goals. It zeroes in on improving the practice of regional cooperation, concerted efforts.
With all of these diplomatic negotiations ongoing, political analysts have started to weigh in on whether the treaty truly benefits PNG. Political science scholar from PNG, Michael Kabuni, expressed his skepticism towards the Pukpuk Treaty. Whether the treaty will really bring value to his country, he asks himself. His concerns highlight the need to scrutinize the treaty’s erosion of PNG sovereignty. We need to think more about what it means for the country’s long-term strategic objectives.
Australia and PNG are already on their way to deepening their defence alliance. They need to prudently manage the homefront aspects of these ambitious initiatives, and in particular, their regional ties, including with China. The next few weeks are pivotal for both countries as they seek to ratify the Pukpuk Treaty. They need to address China’s worries about how this newly emerging treaty could impact regional stability and cooperation.
