Leaking secret plans of China and the Pacific island nation

New York Times On March 25, citing a leaked document, China and the Solomons are close to signing a security agreement. If completed, the deal would allow Prime Minister Solomon Manasseh Sogavare to call for China’s protection in the event of unrest.

In return, this potential deal allows China to deploy military and police to the Solomons as requested to “maintain social order”, protect the safety of Chinese citizens as well as projects. in the Solomon Islands. Beijing could be allowed to deploy warships and gain access to “all necessary infrastructure” in the island nation.

If it was based in the Pacific, China could control it traffic maritime in the South Pacific region.

China and Solomon have not yet commented on the information.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying: “We will be particularly concerned with any action that threatens the security and stability of the region, including the establishment of a permanent presence. The Australian government and Prime Minister Sogavare’s government previously announced that international support forces would continue to be present in the Solomons until December 2023, the statement said.

“This is a serious problem for the United States and a real concern for our allies and partners,” said Charles Edel, a head of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The fact that China could establish a base in the Solomons would significantly reduce the security of Australia and New Zealand.”