The United States wants to expand security cooperation with the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, amid concerns in Washington about China's motives for striking a security pact with the nearby Solomon Islands.
A U.S. delegation met PNG Prime Minister James Marape and its defence chiefs last week and plan to hold further security discussions in the coming months, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink.
"There is a desire on both sides to ensure we take concrete steps to expand our security cooperation," he told reporters in a call.
