Last Week in the Pacific: In the Shadow of the Crocodile, China – Papua New Guinea Defense Cooperation
PNG Prime Minister James Marape visited the China-Aid Juncao Technology demonstration base in Eastern Highlands Province last week, accompanied by a cabinet level delegation.
Juncao is a Chinese grass-based technology primarily for cultivating mushrooms with additional uses in ecological management and as livestock feed.
Juncao projects anchor China’s agricultural aid across the region. Beyond PNG, this monitor has also tracked juncao projects in Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu since the start of 2026.
Summary of PRC Activity
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) hospital ship Silk Road Ark arrived in Papua New Guinea to deliver medical services, donate supplies to PNG’s military, and hold bilateral defense talks. In Nauru, Ambassador Lyu Jin met with the Sports Minister and attended an economic report launch.
This Week’s Big Themes:
Marine de Guerre Sans Frontières
The PLAN’s Silk Road Ark hospital ship landed in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea on 9 April, the last stop on its 220-day Mission Harmony 2025 tour before returning to China. The ship launched in September 2025 and visited Nauru, Fiji, and Tonga before continuing to Latin America. In Port Moresby, the ship provided medical services and consultations to the local population. Sailors also visited Basilisk Naval Base, held academic exchanges with the School of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea, and played basketball against the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
In the Federated States of Micronesia, PRC Ambassador Wu Wei published an opinion piece in The Kaselehlie Press praising China’s healthcare system and its cooperation with Micronesia. Wu highlighted the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, pointing to the popularity of TCM at Pohnpei State Hospital, where China’s medical team operates.
Supporting Events
- PNG: Welcoming Ceremony for the Silk Road Ark Hospital Ship
- FSM: Ambassador Wu Wei Editorial in the Local Press
In the Shadow of the Crocodile
While debate continues over the Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defense Treaty—nicknamed the Pukpuk Treaty after the Tok Pisin word for crocodile—China deepened its defense ties with the PNGDF last week during the Silk Road Ark’s visit. Rear Admiral Fang Jinsong, commander of the hospital ship, donated 256 cases of medical supplies worth roughly $230,000 to the PNGDF. Fang and his team also held high level meetings with Defense Secretary Hari John Akipe and PNGDF Commander Rear Admiral Philip Polewera, where the delegations celebrated ties between the two militaries. The Pukpuk Treaty names Australia as Papua New Guinea’s defense ‘partner of choice,’ but PNG continues to engage China’s military under its “friends to all, enemies to none” principle.
Supporting Events
- PNG: Medical Supplies Donation to the PNGDF
- PNG: PLAN Rear Admiral Fang Jinsong meets with PNGDF Leadership
A Seat at the Table—Literally
In Nauru, PRC Ambassador Lyu Jin held several high level meetings at the start of the month. Lyu met with Minister of Sports Jesse Jeremiah to discuss sports cooperation as Nauru prepares to host the 2028 Micronesian Games. Lyu noted ongoing construction of the China-aided Nauru Sports Center, flagged China’s provision of sports equipment, and highlighted Chinese training opportunities for Nauruan athletes. Minister Jeremiah said Nauru would host its 60th independence anniversary celebrations at the China-built sports center in 2028. Lyu also attended the launch of the Nauru Household Income and Expenditure Survey Report and Consumption Overview. Social media posts from the event show Lyu seated at the head table next to President David Adeang.
Supporting Events
- Nauru: Lyu Jin Meets with Minister for Sports Jesse Jeremiah
- Nauru: Lyu Jin Attends Economic Report Launch
* The PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor provides systematic, open-source tracking of Beijing’s public diplomatic activities across the nine Pacific Island Countries hosting Chinese missions. The monitor captures official embassy social media and website posts, supplemented by local sources, to offer a weekly structured intelligence report that bridges critical information gaps on regional engagement.