MELBOURNE – As Papua New Guinea marked its 50th anniversary of independence on Tuesday, Australia expressed its intention to donate an expansion of the country’s Parliament House.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was present at the flag-raising event held at Independence Hill in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, alongside other government officials.

Albanese said Australia will support the construction of a new ministerial wing for Papua New Guinea’s National Parliament.

Albanese stated, “Offering support for the enlargement of Parliament House is a pledge towards Papua New Guinea’s democratic future and independent governance, destined to aid forthcoming generations.”

Australia is emphasizing the democratic principles it shares with its former colony as China increases its influence in the region.

The United States was represented at the celebration by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Representing his brother King Charles III, who serves as the head of state for Papua New Guinea, Prince Edward attended the ceremony. King Charles had attended the original independence event in 1975 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, his mother.

Australia emphasizes its recognition of Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty, amid concerns from some local lawmakers that it might be impacted by a proposed bilateral defense agreement.

Countries in the Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea, often strive to maintain neutrality amidst the increasing geopolitical rivalry between China and Western allies such as Australia.

Some Papua New Guinea lawmakers fear the bilateral treaty with Australia would jeopardize its foreign policy of “friend to all, enemy to none.”

Albanese had originally planned to sign the treaty with his counterpart James Marape on Monday ahead of independence festivities. Albanese announced on Monday before leaving Australia that the signing was delayed until Wednesday.

But a Papua New Guinean Cabinet meeting scheduled on Monday to approve the treaty did not go ahead because not enough ministers turned up to form a quorum, Albanese said. Albanese said the ministers had returned to their home districts to take part in independence celebrations and Marape was contacting them remotely.

“We will be able to advance the treaty tomorrow,” Albanese told reporters in Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea’s independence is widely regarded as an extraordinary success given the diversity of its people. With an estimated population of almost 12 million people, Papua New Guinea has more than 800 Indigenous languages.