US, Pacific allies seek to counter China with Papua New Guinea power grid

Australia, Japan, New Zealand join Pacific infrastructure push

The US and its key Pacific allies on Sunday announced plans to build a $1.7 billion electricity grid in Papua New Guinea, in the latest effort to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

The leaders of Australia, Japan and New Zealand joined US Vice President Mike Pence in signing the partnership accord, which aims to connect 70 percent of the population to electricity by 2030, up from 13 percent currently.

The project “is proof that America and our businesses are investing in this region as never before,” Pence said at the signing ceremony in the capital, Port Moresby, with PNG Prime