Pacific Leaders Sign on to Australian Internet Cabling Scheme, Shutting out China

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull poses for a photograph with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (L) and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (R) at the Brisbane Commonwealth Parliamentary Office in Brisbane, Australia, on July 11, 2018. Patrick Hamilton/Reuters

SYDNEY—Pacific nations Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have signed on to a joint undersea internet cable project, funded mostly by Australia, that forestalls plans by Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to lay the links itself.

The pact signed on July 11 comes as China pushes for influence in a region Australia views as its backyard, amid souring ties after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull accused Beijing of meddling in the country’s affairs last year.