Vanuatu Internal Affairs Minister Contradicts Government on Chinese Police Drawdown

Andrew Napuat, Vanuatu's Minister of Internal Affairs, publicly stated around October 21, 2026, that his nation “has not yet made any decision to reduce China's police presence”[1]. This declaration directly contradicted a joint statement issued by the Vanuatu government just six days prior, on October 15, 2026, which indicated that its policing partnership with China was “expected to reduce over time”[7][10][13]. The conflicting messages raise questions about Vanuatu's unified diplomatic stance as it navigates security cooperation with both China and Australia.

What the records show

Vanuatu began police cooperation with China in 2023, receiving training, advisors, and equipment[7][9]. This relationship continued despite a significant new agreement with Australia. On October 15, 2026, during the inaugural Nakamal Committee meeting in Canberra, Vanuatu's delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo, clarified that its policing arrangement with China was “time-limited and expected to reduce over time”[7][10][13]. The delegation reaffirmed the Nakamal Agreement with Australia as legally binding, without an expiry date, and reiterated Australia as Vanuatu's “longstanding primary policing partner”[7][10][13]. However, on or around October 21, 2026, Minister Napuat issued a public statement asserting that there was no decision to reduce China's police presence[1].

Timeline

Vanuatu initiated policing cooperation with China in 2023, receiving training, advisors, and equipment[7][9]. In September 2025, Andrew Napuat, then Vanuatu's Minister of Internal Affairs, visited Beijing, reportedly seeking a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on policing with China[4][5][19]. During this visit, on September 19, 2025, Napuat met with China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation[16].

On June 29, 2026, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat signed the comprehensive “Nakamal Agreement” in Canberra[9][21]. This agreement designated Australia as Vanuatu's “longstanding primary policing partner” and included provisions to prevent foreign military bases[9][21]. Despite this, Minister Napuat continued to engage with China. On September 8, 2026, he co-chaired the 5th Ministerial Dialogue on Police Capacity Building and Cooperation in Beijing with China's Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong[2]. During this dialogue, Wang announced a new three-year police cooperation initiative for 2027-2029[2]. Napuat also held a separate meeting with Wang Xiaohong on the same day[3]. Reports indicated Napuat's September 2026 visit aimed to renew the police cooperation agreement with China[18].

The official Vanuatu government position was articulated on October 15, 2026, at the inaugural Nakamal Committee meeting in Canberra. The Vanuatu delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo, stated that its policing partnership with China was “time-limited and expected to reduce over time”[7][10][11][13]. They reaffirmed the Nakamal Agreement with Australia as legally binding and without an expiry date, reiterating Australia as its “longstanding primary policing partner”[7][10][13]. Around October 21, 2026, Andrew Napuat publicly contradicted this statement, claiming no decision had been made to reduce China's police presence[1].

What changed and for whom

The signing of the Nakamal Agreement in June 2026 marked a formal commitment by Vanuatu to Australia as its primary policing partner[9][21]. This agreement was interpreted as signaling an expected reduction in China's policing presence over time[6][7][10]. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) indicated that its team in Vanuatu could nearly double in size as a consequence of the Nakamal Agreement[22]. However, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat stressed that the government had not yet approved such an increase in Australian police officers[22]. Minister Napuat's subsequent statement around October 21 directly challenged the publicly articulated government position, creating an impression of internal disagreement or a lack of unified policy regarding foreign security partnerships.

What the subject has said publicly

During his September 2025 visit to Beijing, Andrew Napuat met with China's Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong. He conveyed gratitude and a desire to deepen cooperation between the two nations[16]. In his statement around October 21, 2026, Napuat explicitly asserted that Vanuatu “has not yet made any decision to reduce China's police presence”[1].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific terms or full text of the Memorandum of Understanding on policing that Minister Napuat reportedly sought with China in September 2025. The exact number of Chinese police officers or advisors currently operating in Vanuatu also remains unconfirmed. Additionally, the precise details of China's three-year police cooperation initiative for 2027-2029, announced during the September 2026 Ministerial Dialogue, were not available. The internal discussions within the Vanuatu government leading to Minister Napuat's contradictory statement could not be confirmed.