The joint facility, which will host more warships in the Pacific, comes at a time of concern about rising Chinese influence
America will partner with Australia to develop the Lombrum naval base on Manus Island, telegraphing a strategic commitment to the region at a time of concern about rising Chinese influence.
The joint facility, which crowds out an aspiration by Beijing to develop the port, was first unveiled by Scott Morrison and his PNG counterpart, Peter O’Neill, at the beginning of the month.
The US vice president, Mike Pence, used the Apec summit in Port Moresby over the weekend to confirm the US would also support the naval facility on Manus Island, which can host more warships in the Pacific.
The American gesture at the weekend builds on a commitment by Japan, unveiled by Morrison and Shinzo Abe at the opening of the Apec summit, to boost infrastructure investment in the region.
It is clear the positioning from Australia, Japan and the US is aimed to check China’s influence, which has been growing in the region partly in response to Australia cutting its aid budget, but Morrison told reporters American involvement on Manus was at PNG’s invitation.
“It’s their sovereign territory, that’s why we’re working together under their leadership. It’s their initiative and we’re pleased to be part of it,” the Australian prime minister said.
“We will be working with Pacific Island nations at their invitation wherever we have that opportunity consistent with the programs that we’re running. Those programs are cultural programs, they’re educational programs, they’re strategic defence programs, they’re communications and infrastructure and the cable and all of these sorts of measures. We’re looking to build up the Pacific.”
Pence also used a speech to the summit to implicitly warn Pacific nations off accepting financial help from China. He said infrastructure loans, which have been deployed by Beijing with Pacific countries, had “opaque” terms, and threatened the sovereignty of small nations.
“Projects they support are often unsustainable and poor quality. Do not accept foreign debt that could compromise your sovereignty,” Pence warned. “Protect your interests, preserve your independence and just like America, always put your country first.
