China issues warning to Papua New Guinea over defence deal with Australia

Beijing’s comments come as leading military figures in PNG express concern over a potential defence treaty with Australia

China has urged Papua New Guinea not to sign a treaty that could restrict or prevent it from cooperating with another country, days after Australia failed to secure a defence pact with the Pacific nation.

In a statement on Facebook late on Thursday, the Chinese embassy in Papua New Guinea said it respected the country’s “right to conclude a bilateral treaty with other countries on a voluntary basis”.