Australia is reviewing whether Nauru violated its security agreement with Australia by signing a business deal with a Chinese company
AFP Sydney, August 19 - The Australian government said on Tuesday that it is assessing whether Nauru has violated the security agreement reached between the two countries in December last year by signing a business deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars with a Chinese company.
According to Pat Conroy, Australia's Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Canberra is "engaging in dialogue with the Nauru government to determine whether certain provisions of the agreement need to be triggered."
Nauru announced last week that it had signed a $650 million economic development agreement with the "China Rural Revitalization and Development Co., Ltd."
Last December, in response to China's growing influence in the Pacific region, Australia and Nauru signed a security treaty.
Under the treaty, Nauru must obtain Australia's approval before signing any bilateral agreements involving maritime security, defense, law enforcement, or its ports, airports, and banking system.
In return, Nauru will receive direct budget assistance amounting to $64 million, as well as an additional $25 million to strengthen its police force.
According to a statement from the Nauru government, "China Rural Revitalization and Development Co., Ltd." has agreed to invest in key areas such as agriculture and fisheries.
Last week, Nauru's Foreign Minister Lionel Aingimea traveled to Beijing to sign this business agreement.
Nauru has a population of 12,500 people and a land area of 20 square kilometers, making it the third smallest country in the world after Vatican City and Monaco.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840920516545675/
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