Australia and its allies have raised security concerns after China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, according to reports.
The deal was signed this week, sparking fears that China could deploy its military forces in the Solomon Islands and destabilize the country.
JUST IN – China has signed a “security pact” with Solomon Islands, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. pic.twitter.com/BIf2hpkt1B
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 19, 2022
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the pact would not “undermine peace and harmony” in the region, adding that it was not aimed at traditional allies but “rather at our own internal security situation.”
However, a leaked draft of the agreement said that Chinese warships would be permitted to dock on the islands and that Beijing could send security forces “to assist in maintaining social order.”
Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Pacific Minister Zed Seselja said in a joint statement that the newly signed deal is “deeply disappointing.”
“Our consistently stated view, including from the perspective of Australia’s national interests, remains that the Pacific family is best placed to meet the security needs of the region,” they said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is currently running for reelection, denied that the pact was proof that his government had mishandled its diplomacy with the Solomon Islands.
“We’ve always stood up to China because it’s in our interests,” Morrison told reporters on Wednesday.
Last week, Australian Senator Zed Seselja visited the Solomons to urge Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to abandon the Chinese agreement.
“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.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price also expressed his concern in a statement over China’s growing activity in the region.
“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.
The department also announced recently that two high-ranking US officials, Kurt Campbell and Daniel Kritenbrink, will travel to the Solomon Islands later this week in hopes of deterring the country from the pact, as well.
