Leaders from several Pacific Island countries have expressed their support for a new Australian-funded initiative aimed at enhancing police training and establishing a mobile regional policing unit. The plan, worth A$400 million (approximately $271 million), comes as Australia seeks to counter China’s expanding influence in the region.
The leaders of Tonga, Fiji, Palau, and Papua New Guinea emphasized that the program will enable island nations to more effectively address issues such as drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and economic crimes in the vast oceanic area they encompass.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, highlighted that the Pacific is the largest unpoliced area on Earth. Under the Pacific Policing Initiative, Papua New Guinea will collaborate with Australia to set up the first of four planned police training centers across the region.
The initiative aims to establish a multinational policing force that can respond to major incidents or crises within the region. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that a coordination hub will be established in Brisbane following discussions at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga.
Historically, Australia and New Zealand have provided policing support during crises, but this new model will enhance the ability of Pacific Islands to take on a more proactive role. Albanese noted that the participating sovereign nations would decide how to engage in the initiative, which is spearheaded by Pacific police authorities with significant financial support from Australia. He emphasized that collective efforts will strengthen the overall security of the region.
Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. pointed out that his country faced significant cybersecurity challenges last year, indicating the need for collaborative security measures. Meanwhile, Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni stated that members of the Pacific Islands Forum have the flexibility to determine their involvement. Some nations, like Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, which have close connections to China, had previously raised concerns, though Solomon Islands later voiced support for the initiative.
China has positioned itself as a key infrastructure lender in the Pacific and is seeking a more active role in policing. Australia has made it clear that it sees no place for China in Pacific policing, especially after China announced its strategy to assist island nations with security earlier this year. The new initiative aims to reduce the reliance of these nations on Chinese support, as China already has police in operations in Solomon Islands and Kiribati.
In response, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry stated that China’s cooperation in policing with Pacific Island countries is standard practice and complies with international law, asserting that it is not aimed at any third parties.