Despite plans to sign a security treaty with Beijing, the Solomon Islands has indicated that it will not allow a Chinese military installation in the Pacific island nation. Therefore, it provokes regional outrage.
A day after officials from the two countries initialed a draft security agreement; the office of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare claimed on Friday that the arrangement did not encourage China to build a military installation.
“Government is conscious of the security ramification of hosting a military base, and it will not be careless to allow such initiative to take place under its watch,” a statement said.
Sogavare has kept the specifics of the security contract with China a secret. Also, causing concern after a leaked draft allowed Chinese military ships to refuel on the islands. Ministers have not yet signed it.
The Federated States of Micronesia’s leader urged the Solomon Islands not to sign the security treaty on Thursday. Thereby, citing “severe security concerns” and situations that the Pacific will become embroiled in a clash between China and US.
“The Chinese are incredibly aggressive”
New Zealand has also spoken out against the treaty, warning that it will jeopardize decades of regional security cooperation.
Australia’s Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, said on Friday that he appreciated Sogavare’s point of view but advocated caution.
Despite telling the US that it would not militarize the region, China built 20 military bases in the South China Sea. Canberra fears Beijing is following a similar path in the Pacific islands, according to Dutton.
“They want a military port in PNG [Papua New Guinea]. They`ve got one in Sri Lanka, and they`re looking obviously at other places where they can put them,” he said.
The Solomon Islands are so close to Australia. Thus, a Chinese military installation there would force Australia to considerably enhance its military presence in the region, he said.
“The Chinese are incredibly aggressive. The tactics that they`re deploying into small island nations is quite remarkable,” he added.
“The China-Solomon Islands security cooperation does not target any third party and does not conflict with other nations,” China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday. Thereby, adding that the agreement covered social order, the defense of lives and property, and natural disaster relief.
