<p>The United States is reportedly close to finalising a major defence deal with Papua New Guinea that will allow its armed forces to access the Pacific country’s ports and airports—a move that is being seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Pacific region.</p>

<p>According to Nikkei Asia, the deal will be signed when United States President Joe Biden visits Papua New Guinea after the Group of Seven's May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.</p>

<p>Biden will meet Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and other Pacific Island leaders, where they will "discuss ways to deepen cooperation on challenges critical to the region and to the United States such as combating climate change, protecting maritime resources, and advancing resilient and inclusive economic growth," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement this week.</p>

<p>The report, quoting officials familiar with the negotiations, noted that the deal would allow US troops to use certain facilities and areas in Papua New Guinea on the condition that they mutually agree.</p>

<p>The potential locations that are being discussed include Momote Airport, Jacksons International Airport, Nadzab Airport, Lombrum Naval Base, the Seaport of Lae and Port Moresby, according to the report.</p>

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<p>US and China have been one-upping each other in a bid to grow influence in the Pacific region.</p>

<p>For US, Papua New Guinea is a key strategic area as it is located at the southern tip of the so-called second island chain, which includes Japan's Ogasawara Islands and the US territory of Guam.</p>

<p>It comes after China signed a major security pact with another Pacific country Solomon Islands in April 2022.</p>

<p>US believes that China may eventually establish a base there or use it as a resupply point and expand its range of activity close to the second island chain.</p>

<p>A state-backed Chinese company has won a contract to develop the international port in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara.</p>

<p>Apart from the US, Papua New Guinea is also being courted by Beijing. Marape was invited to Beijing later this year, while Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the country in 2018.</p>

<p>For its part, the US last year hosted the first ever US-Pacific Island summit in Washington, DC, an event attended by Marape and other Pacific Island Forum leaders. The Biden administration has also sought to re-up security agreements with an array of Pacific island nations.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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The United States is reportedly close to finalising a major defence deal with Papua New Guinea that will allow its armed forces to access the Pacific country’s ports and airports—a move that is being seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Pacific region.

The United States is reportedly close to finalising a major defence deal with Papua New Guinea that will allow its armed forces to access the Pacific country’s ports and airports—a move that is being seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. According to Nikkei Asia, the deal will be signed when United States President Joe Biden visits Papua New Guinea after the Group of Seven's May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Biden will meet Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and other Pacific Island leaders, where they will "discuss ways to deepen cooperation on challenges critical to the region and to the United States such as combating climate change, protecting maritime resources, and advancing resilient and inclusive economic growth," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement this week. The report, quoting officials familiar with the negotiations, noted that the deal would allow US troops to use certain facilities and areas in Papua New Guinea on the condition that they mutually agree. The potential locations that are being discussed include Momote Airport, Jacksons International Airport, Nadzab Airport, Lombrum Naval Base, the Seaport of Lae and Port Moresby, according to the report. Gravitas: Biden family knee-deep in corruption? US and China have been one-upping each other in a bid to grow influence in the Pacific region. For US, Papua New Guinea is a key strategic area as it is located at the southern tip of the so-called second island chain, which includes Japan's Ogasawara Islands and the US territory of Guam. It comes after China signed a major security pact with another Pacific country Solomon Islands in April 2022. US believes that China may eventually establish a base there or use it as a resupply point and expand its range of activity close to the second island chain. A state-backed Chinese company has won a contract to develop the international port in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara. Apart from the US, Papua New Guinea is also being courted by Beijing. Marape was invited to Beijing later this year, while Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the country in 2018. For its part, the US last year hosted the first ever US-Pacific Island summit in Washington, DC, an event attended by Marape and other Pacific Island Forum leaders. The Biden administration has also sought to re-up security agreements with an array of Pacific island nations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US eyes Papua New Guinea's airports, ports in defence pact to be signed during Biden’s trip

<p>Airline passengers numbering in thousands were stranded across Papua New Guinea as commercial airlines grounded planes after the supply of jet fuel was stopped on the island nation.&nbsp;Puma Energy, Papua New Guinea's only fuel supplier, said the shortage in supply was due to a lack of foreign currency from the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea.</p>

<p>The foreign currency, among other things, is also used to buy fuel from international markets.</p>

<p>A report in The Guardian claimed that there was chaos at the country’s main domestic airport in Port Moresby. All major airlines cancelled their scheduled domestic flights earlier on Thursday.</p>

<p>Hundreds of passengers were turned away from Jacksons International Airport in the capital city. This prompted passengers to demand intervention from Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea.</p>

<p>Papua New Guinea’s largest airline, Air Niugini, released a statement on Wednesday, saying that all flights around the country would be cancelled because Puma Energy had suspended the supply of Jet A1 fuel to all airline companies.</p>

<p>“We have done everything possible to ensure that this situation did not occur and that we could continue to support the people of Papua New Guinea especially as they return from their Christmas holiday,” said Air Niugini. “The airline can assure all our customers that we are completely up to date with our payments to Puma Energy.”</p>

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<p>Air Niugini warned that international flights could also be cancelled if the country’s central bank failed to supply enough US dollars for the fuel supplier, Puma Energy, to buy jet fuel.</p>

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<p>Papua New Guinea’s difficult terrain and lack of interconnecting roads make air travel the most efficient means of travel. The two largest cities, Port Moresby and Lae, are only accessible&nbsp;by plane.</p>

<p>Papua New Guinea has only two major highways linking its interior highlands to the coast and three other highways linking smaller towns. There are no railroads and though there are shipping lines to transport cargo, there are no options for people to travel far on the sea.&nbsp;</p>

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Airline passengers numbering in thousands were stranded across Papua New Guinea as commercial airlines grounded planes after the supply of jet fuel was stopped on the island nation.

Airline passengers numbering in thousands were stranded across Papua New Guinea as commercial airlines grounded planes after the supply of jet fuel was stopped on the island nation. Puma Energy, Papua New Guinea's only fuel supplier, said the shortage in supply was due to a lack of foreign currency from the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea. The foreign currency, among other things, is also used to buy fuel from international markets. A report in The Guardian claimed that there was chaos at the country’s main domestic airport in Port Moresby. All major airlines cancelled their scheduled domestic flights earlier on Thursday. Hundreds of passengers were turned away from Jacksons International Airport in the capital city. This prompted passengers to demand intervention from Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea’s largest airline, Air Niugini, released a statement on Wednesday, saying that all flights around the country would be cancelled because Puma Energy had suspended the supply of Jet A1 fuel to all airline companies. “We have done everything possible to ensure that this situation did not occur and that we could continue to support the people of Papua New Guinea especially as they return from their Christmas holiday,” said Air Niugini. “The airline can assure all our customers that we are completely up to date with our payments to Puma Energy.” WATCH | Gravitas: Papua New Guinea appoints Minister for Coffee × Air Niugini warned that international flights could also be cancelled if the country’s central bank failed to supply enough US dollars for the fuel supplier, Puma Energy, to buy jet fuel. ALSO READ | As it happened: Oil rebounds 3% as OPEC+ weighs biggest output cut since 2020 Papua New Guinea’s difficult terrain and lack of interconnecting roads make air travel the most efficient means of travel. The two largest cities, Port Moresby and Lae, are only accessible by plane. Papua New Guinea has only two major highways linking its interior highlands to the coast and three other highways linking smaller towns. There are no railroads and though there are shipping lines to transport cargo, there are no options for people to travel far on the sea. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Papua New Guinea's airlines grounded due to fuel shortage

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US eyes Papua New Guinea's airports, ports in defence pact to be signed during Biden’s trip

Papua New Guinea's airlines grounded due to fuel shortage