Vanuatu Expects China Police Cooperation to Decline Under Australia Pact
The clarification came after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat signed the Nakamal Agreement in Canberra on June 29.
Vanuatu reiterated its position during the inaugural Nakamal Committee meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on Oct. 15, according to a joint statement issued Monday by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Pacific island nation said its policing arrangement with China was limited in duration, while its agreement with Australia was legally binding and had no expiration date. Vanuatu also pledged to give priority to policing requests from members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the committee meeting alongside Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo.
Vanuatu has maintained policing cooperation with China since 2023, with the partnership involving police training, the provision of advisers and donations of equipment.
In September 2025, Vanuatu announced plans to establish a formal policing memorandum with Beijing following discussions between the two countries’ security ministers.
The proposed memorandum covered several areas of law enforcement cooperation, including police training, equipment, cybercrime, transnational crime and broader policing activities. However, a date for signing the memorandum has not been independently confirmed.
China has sought to expand its security ties with Pacific island nations through bilateral agreements after failing to secure a region-wide security agreement in May 2022. Beijing has since pursued individual policing arrangements with countries including the Solomon Islands and Fiji.
Vanuatu’s latest clarification underscores its stated commitment to maintaining Australia as its principal policing partner while its existing cooperation with China is expected to decrease over time.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
