Australia is racing to stop China from signing a new regional security deal with as many as 10 Pacific island nations following the controversial pact between Beijing and Solomon Islands.
More than 100 Australian Defence Force personnel will travel to Papua New Guinea in coming months to help the country conduct its national election, combat cyber threats and conduct joint exercises amid a growing tussle for influence between Australia and China in the region.
China’s top diplomat said attempts by the United States and Australia to sabotage its security plans for the Pacific were “doomed to failure” as he arrived in Kiribati to forge ahead with plans for Chinese-built infrastructure in the island nation. This support will include air force, army and cyber personnel to help PNG with logistics and planning, including air lifts to help in distributing and collecting votes.
“A variety of cyber-enabled means such as cybersecurity incidents and misinformation or disinformation campaigns can represent potential threats,” the DFAT spokesperson said. “We must engage internationally to advance and protect our shared interests.” Michael Shoebridge, director of the defence and security program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said it was hugely important to protect the integrity of PNG’s election.
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