Papua New Guinea was 'blessed' with a visit by China just a day ago. Anthony Albanese is hot on their tail
China's Foreign Minister has used a visit to Papua New Guinea to take a swipe at Australia's nuclear submarine partnership, claiming it isn't in the best interests of Pacific islands. Wang Yi signed several agreements in Port Moresby, which deepen economic ties between the two countries. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be hoping to do the same when he arrives in PNG tomorrow.
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00:00A warm greeting and a sign of a growing friendship.
00:11China's top diplomat Wang Yi is no stranger to PNG.
00:16On his fourth visit, he's intent on deepening economic ties.
00:21My dear foreign minister, welcome back to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and thank you
00:26for coming.
00:28Agreements signed after the meeting will allow PNG to more readily export to China
00:33key products like cocoa and coffee beans.
00:37This is a huge success, minister.
00:40This will allow the opportunity now to access one of the biggest markets in the world.
00:46Amid jostling for geopolitical influence in the region, Minister Wang urged for non-interference.
00:53Pacific island countries are the home of the people in this region.
00:56They are not the backyard of any major country.
01:01China has been less than open about its own security and policing deals with the neighbouring
01:06Solomon Islands.
01:08Minister Wang also took aim at the AUKUS partnership.
01:12Instigating division is not in line with the urgent needs of Pacific island countries.
01:18The barbs come just before Prime Minister Albanese returns to Papua New Guinea, this
01:23time for a four-day visit where he and PNG Prime Minister James Marape will walk a section
01:29of the Kokoda Track in the lead-up to Anzac Day.
01:32The Anzac spirit is as much as ours, as much as it is Australian and Nigerian.
01:39These few days are quite reflective of Papua New Guinea's position.
01:42It sees China as an increasingly vital partner to empower its economy and improve living
01:49standards.
01:50When the Australian and Papua New Guinean Prime Ministers walk the Kokoda Track together
01:54from Tuesday, it will bring into sharp focus the shared military and security history that
02:00underpins the relationship.