Papua New Guinea in 2020: China Rising and Bougainville Independence

Ultimately, 2020 turned out to be an ordinary year for Papua New Guinea. Other than the COVID-19 crisis, much remained the same in the country. Any expectations that the new prime minister, James Marape, would change its direction fell apart quickly when it was clear that “business as usual” would continue. Despite their best efforts, Australia and its allies failed to stop the rising Chinese influence in the country.