Australia asks Solomon Islands to not sign China security pact
Australia has asked the leader of one nation not to sign a controversial security pact with China - and now the US has had a say.
National
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The United States is joining efforts in an attempt to convince the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands not to sign with a deal with China that will enable them to run a naval base in the Pacific.
Australia on Wednesday asked Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to not sign the controversial security pact with China.
A leaked draft of the security agreement sent shockwaves across the region last month — particularly measures that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands.
This pressed on long-held fears in the United States and its allies about the potential of China building a naval base in the South Pacific, which would allow Beijing to project its naval power far beyond its borders.
In a sign of the rising concern about the pact, which is close to being signed, Australia’s government dispatched Pacific Minister Zed Seselja to the Solomons capital Honiara to meet in person with the island nation’s prime minister.
Seselja said in a statement afterwards that he had asked Sogavare “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”.
“We welcome recent statements from Prime Minister Sogavare that Australia remains Solomon Islands security partner of choice, and his commitment that Solomon Islands will never be used for military bases or other military institutions of foreign powers.”
US Senate foreign affairs committee chairman Bob Menendez joined the chorus, telling Sky News Sogavare risks China becoming the “owner and minder” of his nation.
“My hope is there is a broader, deeper understanding that China at the end of the day will be your owner and minder,” Senator Menendez said.
“That’s what their ultimate goal is. And they have shown that in Africa and other parts of the world, where it seems they are coming in with good intentions, and then their coercive economic policies, their coercive practices, ultimately put you being owned by China.”
Seselja’s visit was the latest in a series of diplomatic entreaties to the Solomons.
It followed a call Tuesday between US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about plans to reopen the American embassy in Honiara after 29 years.
The same day, during a call with the head of Australia’s foreign affairs department, Sherman “highlighted her concern about recent developments in the Indo-Pacific”, according to her spokesperson.
It followed a call Tuesday between US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about plans to reopen the American embassy in Honiara after 29 years.
The same day, during a call with the head of Australia’s foreign affairs department, Sherman “highlighted her concern about recent developments in the Indo-Pacific”, according to her spokesperson.
The Financial Times reported Saturday that the White House’s top Asia official, Kurt Campbell, was also set to visit the Solomons later this month.
Originally published as Australia asks Solomon Islands to not sign China security pact
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