The Squiz 

Hot on the heels of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit, PM Anthony Albanese is in Papua New Guinea. It coincides with ANZAC Day on Thursday, and to commemorate the day, Albanese’s hiking part of the Kokoda Track in the north of the country today and tomorrow. He’s not the first Aussie politician to do so, but he will be the first sitting PM… And he’ll have some company – PNG’s PM James Marape is set to join him for parts of the walk.

Sounds like a tough way to have a meeting…

Yep, and there’s plenty of business for the 2 leaders to discuss. Albanese’s visit comes off the back of a big security deal signed between Oz and PNG in December, and reports say Albanese wants to keep talking about strengthening our relationship with PNG and other neighbours in the Indo-Pacific. PNG – the largest Pacific Island country with a population of more than 9 million – is a good place to do that, given our long history. Just a reminder: PNG was an Australian territory from the end of WWI until 1975 when it became a sovereign nation… But in recent years, China’s taken an interest in PNG as it looks to assert itself in the region, and that’s something Oz and our allies want to head off at the pass. Cue lots of diplomatic meetings – including Wang’s weekend visit…

How did that go?

It was “very positive”, according to PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko. The pair hashed out the details of several new agreements, including increased trade and communication, and $1.7 million in disaster relief funding. For Wang’s part, he made it clear that Beijing isn’t happy about AUKUS and its focus on security in the Indo-Pacific region… He said it creates “division” and that Pacific Island countries aren’t “the backyard of any major country”. He also urged nations to butt out of their partnerships (and yes we might be paraphrasing there…). One Pacific Island nation China has built a significant partnership with is the Solomon Islands. The results from its general election are still being counted, but pro-China PM Manasseh Sogavare has held onto his seat…