Australia is setting up a new army training force to work with its neighbours in the Pacific amid a step-up of diplomatic and military ties with the region.
The development of the Brisbane-based force comes as Australia sought clarification from Cambodia about reports it has reached an agreement with China to place armed forces at a Cambodian naval base.
Australia's Defence Minister Linda Reynolds confirmed on Tuesday the new Pacific Support Force would start its first activities later this year, working with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu.
"The Pacific Support Force will employ a mobile training team approach to strengthen capacity, resilience and interoperability throughout the region in areas such as security operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and peacekeeping," she said in a statement.
It will be part of the Australian Army's 1st Division.
Senator Reynolds said the program was one of a number of initiatives to "deepen significant engagement with the Pacific, to build a region that is strategically secure, economically stable and politically sovereign".
PNG prime minister James Marape held security and trade talks in Canberra on Monday with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese.
Joint work is under way on a naval base in PNG's Manus province and building the country's military aviation as part of a $20 million program.
The minister responsible for the Pacific, Alex Hawke, told parliament Australia was aiming to take cooperation with its neighbours into a new phase.
Meanwhile, Australian officials have sought clarification from the Cambodian government about reports Chinese armed forces will be given access to a Cambodian naval base.
"Australia has a strong interest in regional stability, security and prosperity, and is engaging closely with our partners in support of this goal. We would be concerned at any developments that could upset the strategic balance in the region," a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told AAP.
Australian Associated Press
