US unmoved amid PNG’s China talks

THE United States (US) remains unmoved amid talks of a potential security pact with China, an embassy spokesperson said in Port Moresby.
The US said it was committed to its partnership and the security agreements it signed with PNG in May last year.
The embassy spokesperson told The National: “We have a strong partnership with Papua New Guinea, notably in the economic and security sectors and in regional cooperation.
“PNG and the US share an enduring and meaningful history marked by shared sacrifices in World War Two.
“Along with Australia, we are a traditional security partner of PNG and have worked to strengthen PNG’s capacity to provide for its security.
“The Defence Cooperation Agreement and shiprider agreement both represent a natural progression in our decades of cooperation with PNG. We will continue to enhance and modernise our security cooperation with PNG, which will in turn increase stability and security in the region.
“Our partnership with PNG is based on shared values and mutual priorities.
“We look forward to strengthening our cooperation not only on security but also on sustainable economic development, addressing climate crisis, improving transparency and good governance, and promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.”
Meanwhile, in The National on Feb 1, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko denied insinuations by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill about a supposed PNG-China security pact, saying: “PNG has not signed such a deal.
“China offered to assist in the policing sector, in training and the supply of equipment to our internal security sector.”