It is likely China will win the new round of competition to supply security police and training to Papua New Guinea (PNG). Unlike PNG’s long term security sponsor (Australia) China has been prepared to bribe whole Pacific Island parliaments, as China did with the Solomon Islands in 2022.
PNG holds many attractions for China, including abundant energy resources, minerals and an ideal strategic position between the Indian and Pacific oceans (epitomised by Lombrum Naval Base).
Corruption in PNG is widely accepted as a
political necessity.
China, with its deeper pockets and the higher priority it places on expanding relations with Pacific islands, can outbid even Australian and US efforts. PNG politicians can accept "commissions" for Chinese security equipment deals - equipment that goes to the underpaid, under-resourced, PNG police force. Chinese security police advisors can then help set the tone of bilateral relations.
For previous Submarine Matters' articles on PNG see here and here.
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