SYDNEY (Reuters) -The Papua New Guinea cabinet has approved a defence treaty with Australia, Prime Minister James Marape said on Thursday, as Canberra seeks to block China from expanding its security presence in the Pacific.

Under the Pukpuk defence treaty, Australia and Papua are obliged to come to each other’s aid if attacked.

“Australia has only one other mutual defence treaty of this type and at our request Papua New Guinea will now sign this treaty,” Marape said in a statement.

“This reflects the depth of trust, history, and shared future between our two nations.”

The treaty would also allow as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve with the Australian Defence Force, under dual arrangements, the statement said.

The landmark treaty still requires ratification from both nations

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