China: America should not overdo it on the Security Treaty with Solomon!

Although earlier, Solomon Islands officials said that no agreement had been signed. Mr. Douglas Ete, Chairman of the Institute of Judgment of the Solomons Congress, said that Chinese officials will arrive on the island in mid-May to sign the cooperation treaty. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told Congress that the proposed security deal would not include a Chinese military base.

Ete said the deal would strengthen cooperation on trade, education and fisheries but opposed the idea of ​​allowing China to establish military bases.

Children fishing at a beach in central Honiara – Solomon Islands. Photo: Reuters

The White House is expected to send a high-level delegation to the Solomons capital Honiara this week to discuss the concerns, as well as the reopening of the US Embassy in the Solomons after 29 years. The US side said it was concerned about the “lack of transparency and indeterminate nature” of the treaty.

Meanwhile, Australian officials said China appeared to be “showing power” to the arrival of the US delegation in Honiara. On April 19, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele signed a security treaty but did not give a time or place. signing took place.

US National Security Council (NSC) spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said that China had previously made vague agreements with little consultation with regional countries on fishing, resource management, and support. development assistance and now security.

NSC emphasized that the US will increase its engagement in the region to deal with challenges of the 21st century, from maritime security and economic development to the climate crisis and the Covid-19 epidemic.

For its part, China confirmed the signing of a security agreement with the Solomon Islands aimed at promoting peace and stability and called the US response to the incident an exaggeration of tensions and incitement to confrontation. Mr. Uong said that attempts to intentionally increase tension and agitation will also fail.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. Photo: FMPRC

Meanwhile, Canberra fears the treaty could pave the way for a Chinese military presence less than 2,000 kilometers off Australia’s coast. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Canberra was “deeply disappointed” and wanted more details on the terms of the deal.

Ms. Payne also expressed concern about the lack of transparency and said the treaty had the “potential to undermine stability in the region”.