China, Papua New Guinea

Australia and Papua New Guinea strike deal to counter China
Australia and Papua New Guinea have signed a sporting deal accompanied by strategic and confidential security pact that is designed to counter Chinese influence in the region.
In a contest of influence in Papua New Guinea, Australia triumphed over China through our shared love of footy
The "soft power" aspect to this sports diplomacy initiative has never been a secret. But in the game of regional politics, Australia went in for the hard tackle.
China benched as Papua New Guinea and Australia seal the deal for new NRL team
A historic $600m deal to give Papua New Guinea an NRL team has dashed China’s hopes for a security pact with Australia’s nearest neighbour under a provision allowing the agreement to be terminated if PNG undermines the nations’ “strategic trust”.
Australia backs PNG rugby team in move to thwart China influence
SYDNEY -- Australia and Papua New Guinea on Thursday signed a deal to establish a PNG rugby league club in Australia's national competition, a strategic agreement long pursued by Canberra as it strives to counter China's influence in the Pacific.
Australia and PNG's Rugby League Partnership: A Boost for Sports Diplomacy
Australia will support Papua New Guinea with A$600 million over ten years to establish a national rugby league team, aligning with Australia's security efforts in the Pacific. The funding includes A$290 million for the franchise and A$250 million for player development,
Rugby league-Australia to fund PNG team's entry to NRL in 2028
A$600 million ($382.80 million) over 10 years to support its team's entry to the National Rugby League, a deal both countries said dovetails with Australia's security support for its Pacific neighbour.
Australia to spend US$385 million on PNG rugby league team with eye on China
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said the team are due to enter the competition “no later” than 2028. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Papua New Guinea Gains a Team in Australian Rugby League in Diplomatic Push Aimed at Curbing China
Papua New Guinea will gain its own team in Australia’s rugby league in a soft diplomacy deal linked to limiting Chinese influence in the South Pacific
Papua New Guinea is granted a National Rugby League team from 2028
A team from rugby league hotspot Papua New Guinea will enter the National Rugby League from 2028 after officially being granted a license. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papua New Guinean counterpart James Marape met in Sydney on Thursday to shake hands over the deal,
Papua New Guinea team to enter the NRL in 2028
The NRL will feature a Papua New Guinea-based franchise from 2028 after two years of planning culminated in an official announcement on Thursday.
Rugby league-Australia to fund PNG team's entry to NRL in 2028 in Pacific security play
By Kirsty Needham and Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia will provide Papua New Guinea (PNG) A$600 million ($382.80 million) over 10 years to support its team's entry to the National Rugby ...
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Australia's $600 Million Rugby League Power Play in PNG
Australia pledges A$600 million to help Papua New Guinea (PNG) enter the National Rugby League, aligning this with a security ...
Australia To Spend $385 Mn On PNG Rugby League Team With Eye On China
Australia will spend US$385 million to establish a rugby league team from Papua New Guinea in its rugby league competition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday, a move designed to help ward ...
NRL team confirmed for PNG in $600m deal that comes with a catch
The deal, bankrolled by taxpayers, will collapse if the Pacific country signs a security agreement with China. Anthony ...
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China benched, PNG takes field in sport-security pact
PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko has ruled out entering a security agreement with China as Beijing works to gain a ...