Beijing vows to continue helping Vanuatu as hopes fade for Australian security deal

China has declared it will continue supporting Vanuatu “across various fields” as it prepares to finalise a new policing agreement with the Pacific nation that has so far resisted signing a security deal with Australia.

This week Vanuatu’s Police Minister Andrew Napuat revealed he was preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding with Beijing on policing cooperation following a meeting on Friday with China’s Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.

As part of its growing cooperation with Beijing, Vanuatu’s Police Force will soon also receive a $635,000 shipment of Chinese made policing equipment including INTERPOL systems, 20 motorcycles and 20 drones.

Earlier this month Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had hoped to finally secure a $500m security agreement with Vanuatu during a visit to Port Vila, but the signing was delayed over local concerns that the Nakamal pact would shut out China.

Speaking on Tuesday night China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters that his country’s cooperation with Vanuatu was based on “mutual respect, equal-footed consultation, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness”.

“China will continue to support Vanuatu to the best of our capabilities in light of their will and need and strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the two countries and two peoples,” he added.

On Tuesday Police Minister Napuat also joined his ministerial colleague Rick Mahe to open an Immigration Enrolment System Office within Vanuatu’s Consulate in Hong Kong which began operating earlier this year.

For several years the Australian government has been wary of China’s growing influence in Vanuatu, particularly after Beijing was able to clinch a security agreement with neighbouring Solomon Islands in 2019.

An Albanese government spokesperson has told The Nightly that “Australia is Vanuatu’s largest economic, development, security and humanitarian partner” and that “the Government is aware China continues to have a small police presence in Vanuatu”.

“When it comes to security, our view is well known - that Pacific security needs are the responsibility of the Pacific, as agreed by Pacific leaders,” the spokesperson added.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Pat Conroy on Wednesday insisted that Australia was still “making progress” on the Nakamal agreement and the Albanese government wasn’t surprised by Minister Napuat’s comments about boosting cooperation with China.

“We’ve been very open with the Australian people that we’re in a permanent state of contest in the Pacific to be the partner of choice in terms of security,” Mr Conroy told Sky News.

Last week Mr Albanese also failed to sign an historic defence treaty with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape, which he had hoped to clinch during a visit to Port Moresby marking the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.

Overnight Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with Pacific leaders, including Mr Marape at a function in New York held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

“As a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia is working with our region for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Blue Pacific,” Senator Wong posted online after the event.

“In New York I met Pacific leaders and foreign ministers to advance our shared vision and to continue strengthening Australia’s relationships”.

During this week’s UN General Assembly Nauru’s President David Adeang was the first Pacific representative to address fellow world leaders and discussed his country’s close partnerships with both Australia and China.

“We are deeply grateful to Australia whose steadfast support goes beyond diplomacy and partnership. Australia’s friendship has long been central to Nauru’s journey,” President Adeang told the UN.

“We also value our productive relationship with the People’s Republic of China. China’s partnership has contributed meaningful opportunities for infrastructure, trade, and development.”