China and the Solomon Islands have banded together in a new agreement, sparking fears in the U.S. and its allies over security concerns.
The two nations on Tuesday signed a framework agreement on security cooperation that will enhance the “social stability and long-term tranquility in the Solomon Islands,” and that the security cooperation is not targeted at any third-world country.
“As approved by the governments of China and Solomon Islands, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele, on behalf of the governments of China and Solomon Islands respectively, officially signed the inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation between the two countries the other day,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters.
“The two sides will conduct cooperation in such areas as maintenance of social order, protection of the safety of people’s lives and property, humanitarian assistance and natural disaster response, in an effort to help Solomon Islands strengthen capacity building in safeguarding its own security,” Wang added.
However, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said that the agreement could destabilize the Solomon Islands with China now having the ability to deploy its military forces in the country.
“Despite the Solomon Islands government’s comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of P.R.C. (People’s Republic of China) military forces to the Solomon Islands,” Price said.
This comes after the department recently announced that two high-ranking US officials, Kurt Campbell and Daniel Kritenbrink, will travel to the Solomon Islands later this week to urge Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to abandon the Chinese agreement.
The White House also announced plans to reopen an embassy in the capital, Honiara, which has been closed since 1993, according to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
Last week, Australian Senator Zed Seselja visited the Solomons for the same concerns over China’s rising activity in the region.
“We have asked Solomon Islands respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our region’s security frameworks,” Seselja said in a statement.
