maritime security

He said there is a lot of stealing of marine resources and there must be an improvement in maritime security.

Abel broached the subject during his recent trip to Australia.

He proposed assistance from Australia to improve border surveillance saying it was mutual for both countries.

Australia will be sending four warships to PNG as part of APEC 2018 preparations, with the first to be soon n PNG waters.

Abel said this can set the tone for possible talks of a joint naval base in PNG.

Abel said other Defence matters were also discussed during his visit.

Secretary of State John Kerry says that indicates the two nations are "working hard to address differences and to find the areas of commonality."

The two governments discussed ocean policy on the final day Wednesday of high-level talks on security and the economy.

Despite growing tensions over cybertheft and China's island-building in the disputed South China Sea, the U.S. and China are stressing how they can work together on less contentious issues, such as climate change.