Australia-PNG rugby deal signed to curb China influence

Papua New Guinea will join Australia's rugby league in exchange for allegiance on security matters.

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The Pacific nation has produced many stars of Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) and has long been lobbying to join the franchise.

Australia will provide A$600m (£301m, $384m) over ten years to set up the team – which will be based in Port Moresby and compete from 2028 – and help develop the game at a grassroots level across the Pacific region.

In exchange, PNG signed a separate pact which it says reaffirms its commitment to Australia as its major security partner.

The precise terms of the dual deals are confidential, but the BBC understands they allow Australia to withdraw funding if PNG enters a security agreement with a nation outside the so-called "Pacific family". That term is widely accepted to exclude China, despite Beijing's efforts to gain a foothold in the region.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62zgemkexdo

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