On 28 August 2024, at the Pacific Islands Forum held in Tonga, Oceanian states endorsed a regional policing plan called the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), funded by Australia and aimed at limiting China’s influence in the region.
The plan includes establishment of four police training centers and a multicountry joint policing unit of about 200 officers, called the Pacific Police Support Group and set to function as a crisis reactions force.
The PPI will be headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. The four training centers are to be located in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Micronesia, their establishment planned over the next five years.
The development marks a success by Australia in its efforts to limit the spread of China’s geopolitical influence in Oceania. Its success is additionally highlighted by the fact that in May 2022 China attempted to make a regional security treaty of its own with the Oceanian nations, but encountered their refusal to conclude the deal.
Efforts Category: Australia’s Diplomatic Cooperation with other Pacific nations
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