Lessons of history must be remembered in the Pacific

With Europe plunged into its biggest conflict since World War II in Ukraine, it is imperative that Western nations remember the lessons of history and stay keenly focused on what is happening in the Pacific. Confirmation on Thursday of a proposed secret security agreement between China and Solomon Islands should be of little surprise, but it demands that Australia and the US step up their efforts in the region. The strategic importance of the Solomons, located off the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea with the capital, Honiara, only 2125km from Brisbane, is well understood. The 1942 Battle of Guadalcanal proved the critical importance of the Solomons for Pacific security. The establishment of a Chinese naval base there would pose a significant threat to Australia and compromise US operations in the Pacific.

This remains a long way from happening, but efforts must be stepped up now to ensure this remains the case. Both Australia and the US continue to enjoy strong relations with the Solomons but there is ample evidence of widespread social dysfunction in the capital and deep-seated rivalries between the main island, Guadalcanal, and neighbouring Maliata, the nation’s most populous island. A decision in 2019 to break ties with Taiwan in favour of Beijing provided a backdrop for renewed violence to which Australia has been quick to respond. When rioting flared in November last year, Australia deployed 200 Australian Federal Police, Australian Defence Force and Foreign ­Affairs personnel to help restore law and order in Honiara. About 50 remain in the country, in addition to Australian high commission staff. Our response was complicated by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s dealings with China to also assist with security. The initial concern was that Beijing’s offer of policing and protection for Honiara’s Chinese community could be the thin edge of a very big wedge.

These fears have been justified with the leaking of an unsigned agreement that goes much further than what initially had been proposed. The “framework agreement” between the Solomons and China would enable the Solomon Islands government to ­“request China to send police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces to Solomon ­Islands”. It says Chinese forces would be able to maintain social order and protect lives in the country, and that Chinese ships could visit and “carry out logistic replenishment”.

The agreement says details of co-operation must remain confidential and “neither party shall disclose the co-operation information” without prior consent of the other party. This sort of opaque agreement deepens suspicions about Beijing’s real intentions and is against the high bar of political transparency demanded of democratic states.

After details of the unsigned agreement were made public a statement was issued by the Chinese embassy in the Solomons: “Wang Xiaohong, secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security and deputy minister in charge of daily work, held a video conference with the Solomon Islands Police and Minister of State Security and Discipline in Beijing on March 18 and signed a memorandum of understanding on police co-operation. The Chinese side is willing to work with the other side to conscientiously implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, actively promote pragmatic co-operation in police law enforcement between the two sides, and continuously push relations to a higher level.”

Following publication of details of the unsigned agreement, Australia’s high commissioner to Solomon Islands, Lachlan Strahan, announced extra aid for the country including more than $20m. “Following a meeting with PM (Manasseh) Sogavare, delighted to confirm Australia will extend the Solomons International Assistance Force until Dec 2023, build a radio network across Solomon Islands, construct a second patrol boat outpost on the eastern border and provide SBD130 million ($21.64m) in budget support,” Dr Strahan said on social media.

On Friday, Labor accused the Morrison government of dropping the ball on Pacific relations. Scott Morrison rejected criticism that his government didn’t do enough to deter rising Chinese influence in Solomon Islands, saying no government had “ever invested as heavily and consistently” in the Pacific as his own. The coincidental timing of the security agreement and additional funding is a bad look. But Australia has a deep self-interest in preserving its position as primary international partner for Pacific Island nations. We must encourage other leaders, through the Pacific Islands Forum, to work cooperatively with Australia and the US across the region.

On a visit to Fiji last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the US would re-establish an embassy in Solomon Islands in an effort to counter China’s influence. The building relationship between Beijing and Mr Sogavare makes it clear the need to do so is urgent.