US with Australia and Japan moves to stop Chinese telecoms Huawei into Papua New Guinea

The US is working with Australia and Japan to stop Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from building a major internet infrastructure project in Papua New Guinea. 

It's the latest sign of international efforts to curb China’s broadening influence in the Pacific.

The US is working to stop Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from building a major internet infrastructure project in Papua New Guinea, in the latest sign of international efforts to curb China’s broadening influence in the Pacific. 

 The US was working alongside Japan and Australia to develop a “counter offer” to Huawei’s plans, US Charge d'Affaires James Caruso, told Australia’s state broadcaster on Friday. 

Mr Caruso, who is the top US diplomat in Australia, said negotiations were underway to provide an alternative offer but the decision would rest with Papua New Guinean officials.

 “This is not to say ‘don’t do business with China’ … it is up to us to be competitive,” he said.  

The move follows the July establishment of a trilateral partnership to invest in infrastructure and development projects in the so-called “Indo-Pacific” region, as the countries seek to rival the rapid spread of new China-backed projects under its Belt and Road Initiative.