Papua New Guinea may sit out potential conflict between Australia and China despite Pukpuk defence treaty

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says there is a "high possibility" the country would not enter a potential conflict involving Australia and China, despite having signed a mutual defence treaty with its southern neighbour .

The Pukpuk treaty is Australia's first new military alliance in more than 70 years, and includes a provision that an armed attack on either country would be considered "dangerous to each other's peace and security".

The two countries have committed to act "to meet the common danger, in accordance with [each other's] constitutional processes".

But Mr Marape has told 7.30 there's a high possibility PNG would sit out such a conflict involving China, and emphasised his country's sovereignty.

"This treaty was constructed within the fullest ambit of respecti