Asia | Hard ball

Australia is trying to ruck China in Papua New Guinea

Funding for a rugby team might be one way to do so

McKenzie Yei of Papua New Guinea runs with the ball during the International match between Australian Men's PMs XIII and PNG Men's PMs XIII at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on September 25th 2022
A diplomatic scrumPhotograph: Getty Images
|Sydney

Ever since Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) in April, Australia has been trying to fend off a security pact between the two countries. Mr Wang signed trade and technology agreements with James Marape, PNG’s prime minister, and reportedly pushed for a deal about policing. China has alarmed America and its allies by striking security agreements elsewhere in the Pacific, starting with the Solomon Islands in 2022. Mr Marape put PNG’s deal on hold after Australia, an American ally, objected.

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This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Hard ball”

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