China ‘already owns land’ for Solomons bases

Two potential sites for Chinese military bases in the Solomon ­Islands are already owned by Chinese interests, a new report reveals.

Port of Honiara, in the Solomon Islands.

Two potential sites for Chinese military bases in the Solomon ­Islands are already owned by Chinese interests, including a port near Honiara that could accommodate an aircraft carrier, a new report reveals.

The most likely is a port on the eastern edge of Honiara owned by prominent “old Chinese” businessman Lee Kwok Kuen, which “acts as an informal international port, much to the dismay of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority”, the paper says.

The second site identified in the report is the 3000ha Gold Ridge mine in the mountains near Honiara, which was purchased by three major Chinese companies in 2019.

The report’s author, Univer­sity of Queensland emeritus professor Clive Moore, said the sites were already available to Beijing as “de facto” bases because they “already exist and are in Chinese corporate hands”.

The paper, which warns Solomon Islands Prime Minister ­Manasseh Sogavare is a “self-serving” manipulator who cannot be trusted, comes ahead of a likely visit to the country by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Solomon Islands sources told The Australian the visit was ­expected late next week – just days before Australia’s federal election.

It is understood he could also visit Papua New Guinea, where Australian officials are on alert for growing Chinese influence.

Professor Moore said the Lee-owned Leeroy Wharf Port had been used over the past 18 months to service People’s Republic of China container ships outside of normal rules. It has deepwater ­access and “an expanded wharf could easily be built”.

“A fully laden aircraft carrier draws about 12 to 15m of water depth, which could be accommodated,” he said.

“Perhaps this is all China ­requires: its own private wharf where the Ports Authority and Customs cannot easily pry.”

The Gold Ridge mine is owned by Chinese companies China Overseas Engineering, China Railway Shanghai Engineering Bureau Group, and Wanguo International Mining Group.

Local guards at the site, inland from Honiara, already wear uniforms bearing the Chinese flag.

“We need to widen our military mindsets away from the coast as Gold Ridge has plenty of space for barracks, training, and military facilities,” Professor Moore said. “Why not have a mountain base as well as a coastal wharf facility? Gold Ridge has quick road access to Honiara and is a short helicopter ride away.”

Mr Sogavare has vowed not to allow China to establish a military base in the country, and was furious at Scott Morrison’s warning that such a move would be a “red line” for Australia.

But Professor Moore said Mr Sogavare could not be trusted to keep his word. “Sogavare is self-serving, an expert manipulator, and is planning to remain as Prime Minister,” he said.

“However, it is what constitutes a base that is important. It can be argued that China already has two potential military bases, Lee Kwok Kuen’s Leroy Wharf Port at Lungga, and the old Gold Ridge mine site in central Guadalcanal.”

He said other potential sites ­included an old plantation at Yandina, in the Russell Islands, and Tulagi, which a Chinese company sought to lease immediately after Solomon Islands’ diplomatic switch from Taiwan.

Professor Moore said associates of Mr Sogavare were currently negotiating the sale of the Yandina site, which has its own port and airfield, to a Chinese ­corporation.

He said it would also be possible for Chinese interests to take over defunct coastal mining ­leases, including Australian firm Axiom’s leases in Isabel Province, which have access to San Jorge ­Island’s Thousand Ships Bay.