Tag: solomon islands-china

Australian Opposition’s Support for Beijing’s Pacific Ambitions Comes to Light

Just months before Beijing signed a contentious security deal with the Solomon Islands, the Australian Labor Party’s deputy leader, Richard Marles, it has been revealed, advocated for the Chinese regime’s involvement in the Pacific. The comments from Marles, who is the former parliamentary secretary for Pacific Islands Affairs, were unearthed by The Australian newspaper on…


Solomons PM a ‘Proxy’ of Beijing, Allies Should Engage Other Stakeholders: Expert

Australian and U.S. leaders should stop appealing to the Solomon Islands prime minister to change his mind on a contentious security deal with Beijing that could pave the way for militarisation of the region. Instead, one expert on the South Pacific says the focus should be on engaging with stakeholders interested in democracy and weakening…


Beijing Likely to ‘Move Quickly’ to Militarise Solomon Islands: Defence Expert

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will move quickly to establish a “military footprint” in the Solomon Islands after concluding a contentious security deal that opens the door for Beijing to station troops and weapons in the country, according to a defence expert. Australian and U.S. leaders were caught wrong-footed by the emergence of the secret…


US Raises Concern as Solomon Islands Officially Ink ‘Vague Deals’ With China

The United States raised concern Tuesday over the “vague deals” signed between the Solomon Islands and China, citing the “unspecified nature” of the agreement. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced Wednesday that his government has formally signed the security pact with China based on “a sovereign decision” to broaden its security cooperation with more…


US Raises Concern as Solomon Islands Officially Ink ‘Vague’ Security Deal With China

The United States raised concern Tuesday over the “vague deals” signed between the Solomon Islands and China, citing the “unspecified nature” of the agreement. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced Wednesday that his government has formally signed the security pact with China based on “a sovereign decision” to broaden its security cooperation with more…


US Raises Concern as Solomon Islands Officially Signs ‘Vague’ Security Deal With China

The United States is raising concern over the “vague deal” signed between the Solomon Islands and China, citing the “unspecified nature” of the agreement. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced on April 20 that his government has formally signed a security pact with China based on “a sovereign decision” to broaden its security cooperation with…


Beijing Foreign Ministry Confirms Security Pact With Solomon Islands ‘Officially Signed’

Beijing’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed a contentious security pact that will pave the way for Chinese troops and weapons to be stationed in the South Pacific has been officially signed with the Solomon Islands’ leadership. The comments from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin has sparked finger-pointing in Australian political circles over the success—and failures—of…


Beijing-Solomons Security Deal a ‘Sword in Australia’s Back’: Opposition Leader

The opposition leader of the Solomon Islands has called the national government’s security deal with Beijing unnecessary for pacifying internal and external threats—saying any civil unrest was sorely the fault of the national government. Matthew Wale said secrecy around the deal with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was an “escalation by Prime Minister (Manasseh) Sogavare…


Beijing Could Become ‘Owner and Minder’ of Solomon Islands: US Senators Warn

U.S. senators are warning that Beijing could become the “owner and minder” of the Solomon Islands if a controversial security pact is implemented. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, is visiting Australia, along with five Republican senators and congressman, because it was the “epicentre of the global challenge” involving the…


Australia Calls on Solomon Islands to Dump Security Deal with Beijing

The Australian government has “respectfully” asked Solomon Islands leaders not to sign a contentious security agreement with Beijing that could open the door for troops and naval ships to be stationed in the region. The deal, which was “initialled” on March 31 between Chinese Ambassador Li Ming, and Solomons’ Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of…