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Pacific nations express ‘great concern’ over PRC-Solomon Islands deal

Reuters

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there was “great concern” across the Pacific after the Solomon Islands confirmed in late March 2022 that it was creating a security partnership with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The Pacific island nation said it was expanding ties with the PRC to combat security threats and ensure a safe environment for investment as it diversifies security relations.

A potential PRC security pact with the Solomon Islands has sparked concerns among United States allies Australia and New Zealand about Chinese influence in a region where they have held strong sway for decades.

Morrison told reporters “there is great concern across the Pacific family because we are in constant contact with our Pacific family.”

New Zealand also voiced concern about the possible militarization of the Pacific, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern calling the pact “gravely concerning.”

“We see such acts as a potential militarization of the region and also see very little reason in terms of the Pacific security for such a need and such a presence,” Ardern told Radio NZ when asked whether it would be acceptable for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to station military vessels in the Pacific country.

Washington also expressed concern about the CCP forming a military relationship with the island nation, with U.S. officials in February 2022 citing it as a reason to reopen a U.S. Embassy in Honiara, the Solomons’ capital.

“Australia previously expressed concern about the impact on regional security of military cooperation between the CCP and the Solomon Islands after a draft document outlining the proposed cooperation was leaked. “We are the Solomon Islands’ single largest development partner,” Morrison said.

A Solomon Islands official said a security deal with the PRC covering the military would be sent to the nation’s Cabinet for consideration. The Solomons already signed a policing deal with the PRC.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing in Beijing that the PRC’s “law enforcement and security cooperation” with the Solomons Islands was in accordance with laws and international norms.

“We hope relevant countries respect Solomons’ sovereignty and the decisions it made, instead of thinking condescendingly that they are entitled to demand what the Solomon Islands can or cannot do,” Wang said.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne told Parliament that Canberra’s security treaty with Honiara has been extended to 2023, adding that diplomats had “regularly and respectfully raised our concern” about the PRC security negotiations.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said in a statement that five New Zealand defense personnel would stay in Honiara until May 2022, and that New Zealand would “continue to raise our strong condemnation” of the proposed agreement with the PRC.

Solomon Islands, a small nation about 2,000 kilometers northeast of Australia, switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019, signaling the PRC’s growing influence in the Pacific.

 

IMAGE CREDIT: ISTOCK

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