PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AP) \u2014 The United States signed a new security pact with Papua New Guinea on Monday as it competes with China for influence in the Pacific.<\/p>\n
Papua New Guinea\u2019s location just north of Australia makes it strategically significant. It was the site of fierce battles during World War II, and with a population of nearly 10 million people, it\u2019s the most populous Pacific Island nation.<\/p>\n
The State Department said the new agreement provides a framework to help improve security cooperation, enhance the capacity of Papua New Guinea\u2019s defense force and increase regional stability. The full agreement will be made public once politicians in both countries have an opportunity for input, likely in a couple of months.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe work that we\u2019re doing together to try to shape the future could not be more important, could not be more timely,\u201d U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters. \u201cWe\u2019re deeply invested in the Indo-Pacific because our planet\u2019s future is being written here. Papua New Guinea is playing a critical role in shaping that future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said the pact is mutually beneficial and \u201csecures our national interests\u201d in \u201cbecoming a robust economy in this part of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the agreement sparked student protests in the second-largest city, Lae. And many in the Pacific are concerned about the increasing militarization of the region.<\/p>\n
Student Naomi Kipoi, 17, said she was opposed to the security pact because she felt it means the U.S. could come to her country whenever it pleased without permission. She said China had been a big help to her country by building roads and funding schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe U.S. didn\u2019t help us with aid and other things,\u201d Kipoi said. \u201cThey\u2019re just trying to sign the agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, nearby Solomon Islands signed its own security pact with China, a move that raised alarm throughout the Pacific. The U.S. has increased its focus on the Pacific, opening embassies in Solomon Islands and Tonga, reviving Peace Corps volunteer efforts, and encouraging more business investment.<\/p>\n
But some have questioned how reliable a partner the U.S. is in the Pacific, particularly after President Joe Biden canceled his plans to make an historic stop in Papua New Guinea to sign the pact. Biden would have been the first sitting U.S. president to visit any Pacific Island country, but he ended up canceling to focus on the debt limit talks back at home.<\/p>\n
Blinken traveled in Biden\u2019s place, arriving in Papua New Guinea early Monday. In response to news of Blinken\u2019s impending visit, China warned against the introduction of \u201cgeopolitical games\u201d into the region.<\/p>\n
As well as the defense pact, the U.S. also signed a maritime agreement with Papua New Guinea which will allow the U.S. Coast Guard to partner with the Pacific nation to counter illegal fishing and drug smuggling.<\/p>\n
The U.S. visit coincided with a trip by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was hosting a meeting with Pacific Island leaders to discuss ways to better cooperate.<\/p>\n
\nBlinken met with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and said the two nations had a shared vision for the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo make sure that it remains free, open, secure and prosperous,\u201d Blinken said.<\/p>\n
Hipkins told Blinken he was very happy that Blinken had made the trip.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe increased U.S. presence in the Pacific is something we welcome,\u201d Hipkins said.<\/p>\n
But Hipkins also drew a distinction to his own nation\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not interested in the militarization of the Pacific,\u201d Hipkins told reporters before the Blinken meeting. \u201cWe are interested in working with the Pacific on issues where we have mutual interest. Issues around climate change. And we\u2019re not going to be attaching military strings to that support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hipkins was one of the few leaders to venture out publicly. He got a rapturous reception from hundreds of well-wishers when he visited Gordons Market, a large fruit and vegetable market.<\/p>\n
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