‘Australia should be worried’ over China’s movements in the Solomon Islands

Australia has been issued a warning as China pushes ahead with new plans in the Solomon Islands, with the extent of Beijing’s influence being revealed.

China has been pushing ahead with new plans in the Solomon Islands, sparking a major warning for Australia.

It appears the security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands was just the first step in Beijing’s bid to expand influence in the region.

The move sparked concern in the Pacific region that it could result in Beijing setting up a permanent military presence on the island, with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying such a situation would be a “red line” for Australia.

The exact details of the deal have not been made public, however, both countries deny any military plans.

Now, an investigation by ABC’s Four Corners has revealed China’s attempts to secure a strategic port, along with how money from Beijing has allegedly helped keep controversial leader Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in power.

One key asset being targeted by Beijing is a hardwood forestry plantation on Kolombangara Island, which also includes a protected harbour, deepwater port and an airstrip.

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The forestry plantation is located on Kolombangara Island. Picture: Google Maps

Silas Tausinga, Solomon Islands MP, said Australia should ‘absolutely’ be worried about China’s interest in the Solomon Islands. Picture: Four Corners/ABC

The program claims that in 2019 a delegation from China Forestry Group Corporation visited the island, with one member making a point to ask about the length of the wharf and depth of the water.

Covid-19 border restrictions put talks on hold, but it is understood discussions around the strategic location have since resumed.

A Solomon Islands MP, Silas Tausinga, told Four Corners that he believes China has not abandoned its military ambitions in the Solomon Islands, which could spell trouble for Australia.

“Absolutely, Australia should be worried about it,” he said.

The program also unearthed documents that hints at Beijing’s part in helping Prime Minister Sogavare stay in power.

The documents allegedly revealed a Chinese “slush fund” was activated twice in 2021, with almost $3 million handed out – but only to those in parliament who were loyal to the PM.

It just so happened that this occurred in the lead up to a vote of no confidence that could have ousted Mr Sogavare.

A letter signed by the PM claimed the Chinese Embassy in Honiara “consented” to provide “additional support” to the Solomon Islands in August last year, with Mr Sogavare describing the money as a stimulus package.

Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare. Picture: William West/AFP

A second round of payments was activated just a few weeks later, with most of the same MPs on the receiving end of the money, apart from one who had joined the opposition and another who had died.

Head of Transparency International in Solomon Islands, Ruth Liloqula, told Four Corners this was “corruption”, saying the MPs had no obligation to reveal how they spent the nearly $80,000 they each received.

“China is keeping this government together. We all assume that China is remotely controlling the government and Solomon Islands affairs,” she said.

Albanese grilled about China ‘concerns’

During his first interview with ABC’s 7.30 last week, Anthony Albanese was asked if he suffers from “sleepless nights” and feels a responsibility to explain to voters how tensions with China “could end in war”.

The show’s new host Sarah Ferguson peppered the Prime Minister with questions about the rise of China in the region and the implications for Australia.

“Your Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says that China’s rapid military build-up gives him sleepless nights. Now you’re Prime Minister, does it keep you up at night?’’ Ferguson asked.

“It certainly is one of concern and something that we’re very vigilant about,’’ Mr Albanese replied.

“We live in an era of strategic competition and a significant change in what is occurring in our region. We live in an era of real uncertainty.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during a bilateral meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum. Picture: Joe Armao/AFP

But Mr Albanese said he hoped he never had to emulate his war time hero John Curtin, who couldn’t sleep at night as he wrestled with the threat of Japan in the region.

“I hope not. We want peace,’’ Mr Albanese said.

“We don’t want military conflict. That’s why we need to do everything we can to avoid it.”

This comes as former Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended his handling of the Australia-China relationship during his time in the top job, claiming he never sought to provoke Beijing.

Mr Morrison received backlash for his heavy handed approach to tensions with China, with the Albanese government now trying to temper the relationship.

The former prime minister made the remarks at the Global Opinion Leaders Summit in Tokyo on Thursday evening.

In his speech, Mr Morrison pointed to the AUKUS security pact and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue as being responsible for the “most profound” shift in the Indo-Pacific since China “started turning atolls into airports”.

Relations between Beijing and Canberra soured during the Coalition’s time in power, fuelled by several disputes over tariffs on Australian wine, barley, lobster and coal exports.

Mr Morrison’s decision to sign a landmark security pact with the US and the UK only further stoked tensions.

He said Australia had recognised China’s economic achievements but Beijing’s desire to reshape the region had crossed a line.

“I was pleased to be part of and lead a government in Australia that took a strong stand in response to the (People’s Republic of China’s) assertiveness. We chose to resist, not provoke the PRC,” Mr Morrison said.

The full Four Corners episode will air tonight on ABC TV and ABC iview.