A Tale of Two Approaches: Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Belt and Road Initiative

This chapter considers, firstly, the more accommodating, enthusiastic approach from PNG towards China's Belt and Road Initiative. The ambivalent Australian response is then examined. Necessary to that discussion is a consideration of local developments and reactions within the Australian Commonwealth, such as the cancellation of agreements made between the Australian states and Chinese entities by the central government. The third part of the discussion considers Canberra’s concerns with Port Moresby’s handling of the BRI-China relationship, which is seen as a potential threat to Australian regional influence. The chapter concludes by suggesting that the BRI is seen as a challenge to the traditional power architecture while providing development and infrastructure opportunities for certain countries within the Asia-Pacifc region. Proposed US-led alternatives, of which Australia is a part, cannot be seen as genuine challenges.