PNG is still deliberating on China’s offer to provide security aid. China offered in January to assist PNG’s police force with training, equipment, and surveillance technology following the riots that beset the nation’s capital. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko says PNG is still holding initial talks on China’s proposal. He maintained that PNG views China a friend, and its biggest trading and economic partner, but highlighted PNG’s sovereignty in keeping balanced relations with international partners. The minister pointed this out in Manila where he recently had bilateral talks with his Philippine counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, where both nations expressed a commitment to enhancing economic ties, particularly in agriculture and fisheries. Both nations also emphasized the importance of upholding international law notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Minister Tkatchenko’s remarks refer to China’s expansion into the West Philippine Sea/ South China Sea, following Mr Manola's updates on recent challenges faced by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. According to international news agency Reuters, tensions between China and the Philippines are over maritime confrontations in the South China Sea, as both countries assert their territorial claims in the highly strategic waters. The Philippines sees this as a security violation by China in breach of the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which said China's expansive claims had no legal basis. The Philippines has the backing of its traditional ally, the US, and now PNG has thrown support on ensuring international laws are kept. In a statement, Minister Tkatchenko said PNG does not see China as an ‘enemy’ but is supporting the Philippines in advocacy for the international community to follow the ‘rule of law’ in the West Philippine Sea, “From what is happening in your country, the Philippines, we have to observe international law, which is very important (as) sovereignty of all countries is important and must be respected.” As PNG considers China’s security aid offer, Minister Tkachenko stressed that PNG still maintains relations with traditional security partners – the US, Australia, and New Zealand. “For Papua New Guinea, our foreign policy is ‘Friend to all, enemy to none’ (and) we try and balance the understanding between all countries we deal with.” “(While) we respect the Philippines, that relationship with Australia, and many others, at the end of the day, we (PNG) don’t see China as an enemy.” “We see it (China) as a partner to help develop our country, and for the good of China as well.” “China is one of Papua New Guinea’s biggest trading and economic trading partners.” As to the security aid offer, China in recent times has been providing similar security support to a few Pacific Island countries, prompting concerns also from the US and Australia over China’s expanding influence. In 2011, Fiji signed a police cooperation agreement with China when Fiji was under military rule, but now Fiji’s new Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who has favored closer ties with Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., has said he wants to terminate the agreement because it wasn’t consistent with Fiji’s democracy. Under the policing pact, Fijian police officers undertook training in China, Chinese officers had regular short-term deployments in Fiji and China donated equipment and surveillance technology such as drones. It was China’s most extensive security cooperation with a Pacific Island country until it signed a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022. Fiji will continue police cooperation with China but won’t have Chinese officers stationed inside its force, a Fijian government minister said, following a review of security relations that highlighted the Pacific Island country’s balancing act between economic reliance on China and security ties to the U.S. and its allies. China, over several decades, has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure, and aid for developing Pacific Island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies or leverage in global institutions. Its inroads with Pacific Island nations have caused concern for countries such as Australia and the United States who see the region as vital to their security and defence. Recently, Tonga’s prime minister said he’s open to Beijing’s help with security support when Tonga hosts a major regional leaders’ summit, again raising concerns in the United States as it strives to counter China’s growing influence. Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said there was nothing to fear from China’s offer to help Tonga host leaders of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum in August, despite the United States urging regional nations not to strike security pacts with Beijing. “There’s no reason to be concerned. China is offering to assist with the hosting of the foreign leaders’ meeting,” Sovaleni told reporters in the Tongan capital Nukuʻalofa. “If it’s training and if the (Tonga) police deem it to be necessary, of course, we will take up the offer,” Sovaleni added, addressing an Australian government fear that authoritarian Chinese policing methods could take hold in the Pacific. Sovaleni said China may be providing police motorcycles and other vehicles to support security for the regional leaders’ summit that rotates annually between member nations. Apart from the security aid offer, China has been a big development partner, in terms of infrastructure and other key sectors in PNG.