Australia turns to rugby to curb China influence in PNG

Australia is taking a significant step in rugby to limit China's influence in Papua New Guinea (PNG). PNG has officially joined Australia's national rugby league competition after signing an agreement that requires them to avoid security partnerships with China. This Pacific nation has produced numerous talented players for Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) and has been advocating for a place in the league for a long time. Australia will invest A$600 million over the next ten years to establish the new team, which will be based in Port Moresby and will start competing in 2028. This funding will also support the development of rugby at the grassroots level throughout the Pacific region. In return, PNG has signed a separate agreement that reaffirms its commitment to Australia as its primary security partner. While the specific details of these agreements remain confidential, it is understood that Australia reserves the right to withdraw funding if PNG enters into a security agreement with any country outside the so-called 'Pacific family,' a term that is generally understood to exclude China, despite its attempts to increase its presence in the region. If Australia decides to pull out, the NRL would then be required to remove the PNG team from the competition. During the announcement of this agreement in Sydney, PNG Prime Minister James Marape described it as a 'monumental' opportunity for his nation, aimed at fostering 'unity' not only among the 830 language groups in PNG but also between PNG and Australia. He emphasized that this initiative is not solely about sports but about bringing together the most diverse nation on Earth and strengthening the bond between the people of PNG and Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed that it was a 'great day' for both nations, stating that PNG, where rugby league is the national sport, 'deserves' a place in the league. He believes that the new team will belong to the people of Papua New Guinea and will have millions of enthusiastic fans supporting it from the very beginning. This marks a significant milestone for the NRL as well, as it is the first time the competition has expanded internationally. The only other foreign team, the New Zealand Warriors, has been part of the league since its inception nearly thirty years ago. NRL chief Peter V'landys has been a strong advocate for the PNG bid, arguing that it presents a tremendous opportunity for both the league and PNG's economic growth. The name and uniform for the new team will be determined at a later date. This agreement is seen as an unprecedented win for sports diplomacy. Stuart Murray, an Associate Professor of International Relations, noted that while Australia has used sports as a diplomatic tool before, this agreement is unique. He explained that Australia has been creatively thinking about how to combine sports with policy to address traditional security threats. He believes that this agreement will open up numerous other avenues for business, trade, education, and various important issues. In recent years, Australia and China have been competing for greater influence in the Pacific region. Following China's significant policing deal with the Solomon Islands in 2022, Australia has been working diligently to establish exclusive security agreements with countries across the region, including a policing agreement with Tuvalu last year and a treaty with Nauru announced earlier this week. Many view the pact with PNG, which gained independence from Australia in 1975, as another strategic victory for Australia. Both prime ministers have attempted to downplay the security implications of the agreements, instead framing them as beneficial for the relationship between the two nations. Marape emphasized that the agreement does not prevent PNG from engaging with other countries, particularly its Asian neighbors. He acknowledged China as a valuable trading partner and bilateral ally. However, he stressed the importance of collaborating with Australia on security matters to protect their shared territory. Government sources have indicated that the agreements do not grant Australia veto power over PNG's security agreements. Nevertheless, the way the agreements are presented effectively limits PNG's options for potential partners, and some in PNG may perceive this as an assertion of Australian dominance over PNG's sovereignty. Both Murray and Nobetau have noted that these agreements reflect an emerging 'transactional' dynamic in Pacific relations. They argue that the notion of goodwill and the belief that sports and politics should remain separate is an outdated perspective. They assert that it is essential to leverage cultural assets like sports in diplomacy. Both experts agree that these agreements represent a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship between Australia and PNG and are likely indicative of how Australia will continue to pursue its interests in the region.