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CANBERRA, Australia – The United States is trying to establish an Internet network in Papua New Guinea to prevent a Chinese telecom company from doing so, a senior US official said. War II
US Ambassador to Australia James Carouso said Friday that the United States, Japan and Australia are preparing to sign a $ 200 million contract recently signed between Papua New Guinea and Chinese Huawei Technologies. . rich nation.
"We are working on a counter-offer," Carouso told state radio in Australia. "The idea is to give alternatives. That does not mean, "Do not do business with China." China's offers are on the table. It's up to us to be competitive, "he said.
Mr. Carouso and US diplomats in Papua New Guinea refused to explain what an agreement might look like, and a spokesman for Huawei declined to comment. Papua New Guinea officials could not be contacted and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Diplomats and security officials from the United States and their allies have expressed concern over Beijing's activities in the Pacific, including the threat of cyberspace.
Australia said in April that it would build a high-speed submarine internet cable linking the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to the Australian mainland, closing Huawei. Last month, the Australian government banned Huawei and
ZTE
Corp.
the country's next-generation 5G mobile network, in line with US policy in this area. Huawei has long denied that its products pose a threat to security.
These decisions have set back Huawei's global ambitions in the race to develop next generation 5G and expand its presence in fixed communications networks, as China's presence becomes more visible in the Pacific. . Beijing made commitments over the past year in the region, making it the second largest donor after Australia.
Papua New Guinea is no exception. The country was one of the first Pacific countries to join the "Belt and Road" initiative, which aims to build a global network of ports, railways, roads and pipelines while expanding the strategic reach from Beijing. Chinese companies helped redevelop a port and airport in Papua New Guinea's second-largest city, Lae.
In August, local media announced that Kumul's domestic cable project would be financed by the China Import-Export Bank, the Minister of Public Enterprises and Investment, William Duma, claiming that concern raised by the Australian authorities, who feared that a cable made in Huawei in Papua New Guinea could open a door to Chinese listening in Australia.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Friday that it was not aware of the details, but was ready to contribute to the development of Papua New Guinea.
"China attaches great importance to our strategic partnership with Papua New Guinea and, over the years, China has provided assistance and assistance without political constraints," said Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. .
Carouso said the Western allies aimed to play a greater role in trade and investment in the West and South Pacific, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently announced.
Two major regional meetings are planned in the coming months. Papua New Guinea is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting in November, where Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend President Trump's place.
The mountainous country occupies a strategic position in the north of Australia. This was the scene of fierce fighting during the Second World War, when Allied forces checked the advance of the Japanese in the Pacific.
The Australian government recently said it was working on a proposal for a redevelopment of a naval base on the island of Manus in Papua New Guinea, as China sought access to a regional naval base.
Washington, meanwhile, has stepped up its campaign against Huawei and ZTE over the past year, passing legislation banning government use of their products and removing phones from US military bases.
-Shan Li in Beijing and Dan Strumpf in Hong Kong contributed to this article.
Write to Rob Taylor at [email protected]
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