CANBERRA, Australia—Australia will redevelop a South Pacific naval base, used by the U.S. as a World War II launchpad, at a time when China’s regional presence is becoming more visible.
Australia and Papua New Guinea agreed on Thursday to upgrade the Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, to Australia’s north. It is a move likely to give U.S. and Australian forces greater access to a port in the South Pacific and to the southern approaches to the disputed waters of the South China Sea.