Vanuatu: Policing deal with China unlikely to prevent formalising Nakamal Agreement

On 19 September, Vanuatu’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Solomon Napuat, hinted at seeking a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering police cooperation with China after meeting with China’s Minister of Public Security in Beijing. Separate from the MoU, Minister Napuat also announced the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) would receive approximately VT50.89 million ($AUD636,790) worth of police equipment, including motorcycles, drones, INTERPOL systems, and uniforms from China. The announcement was made shortly after the unsuccessful signing of the Nakamal Agreement with Australia, allegedly due to concerns over Vanuatu’s ability to continue to access critical Infrastructure development from third countries. Media reports attributed the delay to China’s influence over some members within Vanuatu’s coalition government (see SPI #30 of PACSUM). Minister  Napuat claimed that China’s cooperation with Vanuatu had reached unprecedented levels. 

Assessment: The MoU with China is unlikely to prevent formalising the Nakamal Agreement with Australia. Vanuatu’s coalition government will likely formalise agreements with both Australia and China to balance external influences while retaining sovereignty. Up until the Agreement’s signing, China will likely use the MoU and individual engagement with coalition members to stall its adoption, such as through a review or undermining the government coalition.

Sources: Jane Joshua, “China to donate over VT50M police equipment to Vanuatu,” Daily Post, September 23, 2025; Stephen Dziedzic & Lillyrose Welwel,  “Vanuatu plans to sign police deal with China while Nakamal pact with Australia is left hanging,” RNZ, September 24, 2025.