Australia and Papua New Guinea sign historic defense treaty that raised China's concern

MELBOURNE, Australia — The leaders of Australia and Papua New Guinea signed a major bilateral defense treaty Monday that China believes targets it unfairly.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape described the agreement as a mutual defense treaty that will enable unprecedented integration of their defense forces and military personnel.

It is Australia’s only alliance-level security pact other than the ANZUS Treaty signed with the United States and New Zealand in 1951. It is the first such treaty for Papua New Guinea, Australia’s nearest neighbor and former colony.

The treaty would take effect after it was ratified by the Parliaments of both countries.

Albanese said it was a great honor for Australia to have its nearest neighbor beco