# Vanuatu minister contradicts government on China police deal

> Vanuatu's internal affairs minister says there are no plans to reduce China's police presence, directly contradicting a joint statement his own government issued with Australia.
- Title: Vanuatu minister contradicts government on China police deal
- Summary: Vanuatu's internal affairs minister says there are no plans to reduce China's police presence, directly contradicting a joint statement his own government…
- Keywords: vanuatu, andrew napuat, jotham napat, china, australia, police cooperation, nakamal agreement, pacific islands, news, politics, minister, contradicts
- Source: Abc — https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-22/vanuatu-minister-says-no-plans-to-reduce-chinese-police-presence/107293920
- Published: 2026-10-21T19:49:33+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: vanuatu, andrew napuat, jotham napat, china, australia, police cooperation, nakamal agreement, pacific islands, news, politics
## Minister contradicts joint statement
Vanuatu's Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat says his country has no plans to reduce China's police presence, contradicting a joint statement his government issued with Australia.
## Australia and Vanuatu's joint position
The joint statement from both governments stresses that China's police assistance program with Vanuatu is time-limited and expected to reduce over time, unlike Australia's legally binding arrangement.
## Napuat renews China police agreement
Andrew Napuat travelled to Beijing last month to renew Vanuatu's police cooperation agreement with China, then appeared to criticise the joint statement's reference to reducing the program.
## Napuat defends Vanuatu's position
Napuat said Vanuatu will not take sides in relationships and that statements targeting one partner do not reflect the country's position.Prime Minister Jotham Napat announced Vanuatu is a friend to all and enemy to none.

> such statements targeting one partner do not reflect our country's position on its relationships with its partners
## Vanuatu still needs policing help
Napuat said Vanuatu is still building its police force and is grateful to all partners for help. He stressed the country is not in a position to phase out any partner as reported.

> We are not in a position to phase out any partner as reported
## Long-term goal of independence
Napuat said Vanuatu hopes to eventually phase out all advisers and run its own police force, meaning both Chinese and Australian Federal Police officers would eventually be asked to leave.
## Conflicting messages from Vanuatu
A federal government source said Napuat's message on policing was very different to one conveyed by Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo in Canberra last week, creating confusion about Vanuatu's actual position.
## Australia plans to expand AFP presence
A senior Australian Federal Police officer told parliament the AFP contingent in Vanuatu could nearly double in size over coming years to implement the Nakamal Agreement, though Vanuatu's prime minister said his country must approve…
## Key takeaway

Vanuatu's Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat contradicted his government's joint statement with Australia by saying there are no plans to reduce China's police presence in the country.