Vanuatu Stuns Canberra: Pacific Nation Poised to Sign Shocking Policing Deal with China as $500m Nakamal Pact with Australia Remains in Limbo
- Vanutau set to sign policing agreement with China, including motorcycles, drones, and INTERPOL systems
- Move sparks concerns in Canberra, as Australia’s $500m Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu remains unsigned
- Vanuatu Police Minister insists deal is not a “full militarisation” but focused on security issues like climate change and transnational crime
In a dramatic twist, Vanuatu has announced its intention to sign a policing agreement with China, sparking concerns in Canberra about the Pacific nation’s relationship with Australia. The deal, which includes the provision of motorcycles, drones, and INTERPOL systems, is set to be signed amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the $500m Nakamal Agreement between Vanuatu and Australia.
**Andrew Napuat**, Vanuatu’s Police Minister, met with China’s Minister of Public Security **Wang Xiaohong** in Beijing last Friday, just days after Australian Prime Minister **Anthony Albanese** departed Port Vila without the Nakamal Agreement in hand. Napuat claimed the deal with China is focused on addressing key security priorities, including climate change, transnational crime, and cybercrime.
“Vanuatu has already established Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreements on policing with Australia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, and PNG, while China is the only country with which we still need to formalise a MoU,” Napuat said, downplaying concerns about the impact on Australia.
However, the announcement is likely to raise eyebrows in Canberra, where officials have been working to bolster Australia’s strategic position in the Pacific and prevent China from expanding its influence in the region.
“Our two governments wish to formalise a Police MoU similar to existing MoUs… to better coordinate and manage different areas of partnership in the policing sector with all of our partners,” Napuat insisted, as he moved to allay fears about the deal.
In a statement, China said the agreement would “strengthen exchanges at all levels, work together to enhance their law enforcement capabilities and strengthen cooperation in cracking down on transnational crimes such as fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, so as to advance the China-Vanuatu comprehensive strategic partnership”.
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister **Jotham Napat** has denied that China is pressuring the country not to sign the Nakamal Agreement, but experts believe the Pacific nation is exercising its sovereignty by pursuing deals with multiple partners.
“Vanuatu will continue to exercise its sovereignty on important matters, and we expect our partners to respect this,” Napuat said, as he vowed to prioritise his country’s national interest.
The development is likely to add fuel to the debate about Australia’s role in the Pacific and its ability to influence regional security decisions.