Beware China’s ‘false promise’ with Papua New Guinea security deal, US official warns

A senior US state department official has urged Papua New Guinea to turn down China’s offer of a potential security pact, warning the Pacific nation that any security guarantee with Beijing comes with consequences and costs.

“We’ve seen that the Chinese commitment in defence or investment comes with a high cost. That’s what we’d say to PNG,” US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma told The Sydney Morning Herald in an interview published on Monday.

PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko said last week that the country’s was in early talks with China on a potential security deal. China has offered to assist PNG’s police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology, Tkachenko said.

scmp.com