China signs security pact with Solomon Islands

Australia has slammed China’s new security pact with Solomon Islands as “deeply disappointing”, insisting it must never be used as a military base.

BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 9: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on October 9, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images)

Australia has slammed China’s new security pact with Solomon Islands as “deeply disappointing”, insisting it must never be used to establish a Chinese military base.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne has raised concerns about the transparency of the new deal after China confirmed it was now a signed deal overnight.

“Australia is deeply disappointed by the signing of a security cooperation agreement between Solomon Islands and China, announced by the Chinese Government,’’ Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.

“We respect Solomon Islands’ right to make sovereign decisions about its national security.

“We are concerned about the lack of transparency with which this agreement has been developed, noting its potential to undermine stability in our region. We continue to seek further clarity on the terms of the agreement, and its consequences for the Pacific region.”

Australia has repeatedly raised concerns that it could be used by China to establish a military presence in the region.

“We welcome recent statements from Prime Minister Sogavare that Australia is 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.’’ she said.

China signed the framework agreement on security co-operation with Solomon Islands in defiance of warnings from Australia and the United States.

It follows direct appeals to the Solomon Islands – that lie less than 2,000 km from Australia – not to sign the deal with China.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced the agreement in Beijing on Tuesday.

“The purpose of China-Solomon security co-operation is to promote social stability and long-term peace and security in Solomon Islands, which is in line with the common interests of Solomon Islands and the South Pacific region,” he said.

“China-Solomon Islands security co-operation is public, transparent, open and inclusive, not directed at any third party, and is parallel to and complementary to the existing bilateral and multilateral security co-operation mechanisms in Solomon Islands.”

Liberal frontbencher Zed Seselja rushed to the region last week to hold crisis talks over the 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,” Senator Seselja said.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Picture: Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images

“We’ve had a dialogue. We expressed our view and our concern.

“We maintain that Australia can fill the security needs [of Solomon Islands], and the region. Working together, we can make sure that all of the security needs of the Solomon Islands are taken care of.”

Accusing Australia of “meddling” and launching “smears” over China’s intentions, China’s state media has played down claims it represents as a “potential threat” in the South Pacific region.

“Generating rumours designed to smear China, creating an anti-China atmosphere and supporting opposition parties to rally allies for a possible military escalation, are some of the means that the US, Australia and their allies are accustomed to using to erode the presence of China in the Southern Pacific region,’’ an editorial in The Global Times stated this week.

It follows the United States issuing a warning on the security deal on Monday as U.S. diplomats head to the region.

“Despite the Solomon Islands government’s comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of People’s Republic of China military forces to the Solomon Islands,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

“We believe that signing such an agreement could increase destabilisation within the Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region,” Price said.

Australia has had a history of sending assistance to the Solomon Islands.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne insisted over the weekend that Australia will continue security co-operation with the Solomons Islands even if the deal went ahead.

“Yes, that is absolutely my view and it is the view of Pacific partners,’’ she told ABCTV.

“But there is also a concern that there has been a lack of transparency in relation to this agreement.”

Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said the developments represented a failure by the Morrison Government.

“Despite all of his tough talk, on Scott Morrison’s watch our region has become less secure,” she said.

“His government was warned of this security pact in August and he hasn’t even bothered to send the Foreign Minister to the Solomon Islands to raise concerns on behalf of all Australians.”