PNG PM Vows Close Australia Ties In Face Of Chinese Courtship

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape became the first-ever Pacific Island leader to address Australia's parliament on Thursday (Credit: AFP)

Papua New Guinea's prime minister on Thursday became the first Pacific Island leader ever to address Australia's parliament, vowing close ties despite ever-louder overtures from China.

Hailing long relations and Australia's pivotal role in his country's 1975 independence, James Marape said nothing would come between the two nations.