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From Port Moresby to Madang: Reviewing PNG’s Push for Deeper Education Ties with China

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In a recent interview covered by Bastille Post , Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko praised the Butuka China–PNG Friendship School as a “school of excellence” and a cornerstone of PNG–China bilateral ties. He emphasized that the school’s modern infrastructure and bilingual education programs represent a model for what educational diplomacy can achieve. His remarks suggest a desire to scale up such partnerships across the country, prompting the question: should Madang be the next location for a China–PNG Friendship School? Tkatchenko pointed to Butuka Academy’s success in promoting people-to-people links, including producing students fluent in Chinese. These achievements, he argued, go beyond pedagogy and into the realm of diplomacy, where education becomes a tool for strengthening bilateral relations. For a province like Madang—strategically important, economically vibrant, yet educationally underserved—this vision offers both symbolic and practical potential. Mad...
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Mapping China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs in Papua New Guinea

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China’s growing footprint in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) higher education sector is most visibly expressed through a diverse range of exchange programs that now form a key pillar of Sino-PNG relations. These programs—ranging from full scholarships and language courses to vocational training and institutional partnerships—reflect a deliberate strategy by Beijing to cultivate goodwill, shape public opinion, and build long-term partnerships with the next generation of PNG leaders. This soft power approach complements China’s broader foreign policy goals in the Pacific, offering both opportunities and challenges for PNG’s development and diplomatic autonomy. Diagram showing the inventory of Chinese Higher Education Exchange Programs in PNG, including scholarships, language and cultural initiatives, institutional partnerships, and professional training pathways that contribute to China's soft power strategy in the Pacific. The most prominent among these programs is the Chinese Government S...
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Bridging Cultures Through Language: Reflections on the Chinese Bridge Competitions in PNG

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The recent Chinese Bridge–Chinese Proficiency Competitions held at Butuka Academy and the PNG University of Technology provide more than just a stage for language learning; they symbolize the expanding influence of China’s educational diplomacy in PNG. As a researcher examining China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) and their impact on PNG–China relations, these events offer a timely case to explore how soft power strategies are playing out among PNG’s youth. Students perform a Tai Chi routine during the opening of the Chinese Bridge–Chinese Proficiency Competition at Butuka Academy in Port Moresby, showcasing the fusion of cultural diplomacy and educational exchange at the heart of PNG–China relations. The presence of senior Chinese diplomats, such as Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang and Counsellor Chen Jiliang, at both secondary and tertiary competitions indicates the high-level political and symbolic value China places on such platforms. These engagements go beyond the promotio...
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Last Day to Participate: Help Shape PNG's Future in Foreign Policy Education

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Today marks the final opportunity for students, academics, public servants, and private sector professionals to participate in a national survey that will inform the development of a Postgraduate Program in Foreign Policy Analysis at Divine Word University . The survey officially closes tonight at 9:00 PM , and we encourage everyone who has not yet responded to take a few minutes to contribute their views. We extend our sincere thanks to all participants who have already completed the survey. Your insights are making a meaningful contribution to shaping a program that will reflect Papua New Guinea’s unique geopolitical, economic, and regional context . For those who are yet to take part, this is your chance to have your voice heard and help design a curriculum that prepares future leaders in diplomacy, trade, and international relations. The proposed postgraduate program is a strategic initiative that aligns with PNG Vision 2050 , which emphasizes institutional development, capacity...
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Boosting PNG Universities: A Strategic Opportunity for Australia and China

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PNG’s higher education system stands at a critical juncture. While the country has made commendable efforts to expand university access, concerns about academic quality, governance, and infrastructure continue to undermine the potential of its universities to attract international students or effectively host regional programs such as the New Colombo Plan. Australia and China—two countries deeply invested in the Pacific—have the capacity and interest to assist PNG in addressing these gaps. Doing so would not only strengthen PNG’s development trajectory but also serve broader strategic, diplomatic, and economic interests. PNG, Australian, and Chinese students share a moment outside the University of Papua New Guinea, symbolizing regional academic cooperation and the growing potential of PNG as a hub for international education. The New Colombo Plan, spearheaded by the Australian Government, encourages undergraduate students from Australia to study and undertake internships in the Indo-P...
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Will Chinese Sponsors Be Welcome When PNG Joins the NRL?

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The presence of Chinese companies in global sporting competitions has grown rapidly in recent years. In the National Rugby League (NRL), Chinese automotive giants are now visible front-and-centre. The New Zealand Warriors are currently sponsored by Great Wall Motors (GWM), while the Sydney Roosters boast BYD – a global leader in electric vehicles – as a major backer. A few years ago, the Canberra Raiders had Huawei, a telecommunications giant, as its headline sponsor until political tensions over national security led to the deal’s early demise. These cases highlight both the appeal and complexity of Chinese sponsorship in the Australian sporting landscape. As PNG inches closer to entering the NRL in 2028, the question arises: if a large Chinese company wants to sponsor the team, would it be allowed by the NRL and the Australian government? While commercial sponsorship is usually a straightforward business decision, the geopolitics surrounding PNG’s entry makes it far from simple. The...
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Balancing Regional Leadership and Bilateral Commitments: PNG’s Defence Treaty Dilemma

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One issue that continues to stir debate in Pacific diplomacy is the tension between bilateral defence partnerships and the collective aspiration for a Pacific-led approach to security. As PNG deepens its defence ties with Australia via a defence treaty , it must carefully consider how this move may be interpreted by its Pacific neighbours who are increasingly vocal about regional autonomy and leadership. A Bird of Paradise dons an Australian military uniform—symbolising PNG's delicate balancing act between national identity and strategic defence partnerships. The Pacific Islands Forum and key declarations such as the Boe Declaration on Regional Security (2018) have made it clear: Pacific Island nations want a regional security framework shaped by their own voices, values, and vulnerabilities—not imposed or driven solely by external powers. The idea of a Pacific-led approach to security emphasises the protection of human rights, climate resilience, border integrity, and sustainable...
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