SYDNEY (Reuters) – Amid a regional backlash, the Solomon Islands have said they will not allow a Chinese military base in the Pacific nation despite plans to sign a security pact with Beijing. A day after officials from the two countries initialed a draft security agreement, the office of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said on Friday that the agreement did not call on China to establish a military base. “The government is aware of the security ramifications from hosting a military base and will not be careless in allowing such an initiative to take place under its supervision,” a statement said. Sogavare did not release details of the security deal with China amid concerns over a leaked plan to allow Chinese naval vessels to be refreshed on the islands. The ministers have not signed it yet. The leader of the Federated States of Micronesia on Thursday urged the Solomon Islands not to sign the security pact, saying he had “serious security concerns” and feared the Pacific could be embroiled in a war between China and the United States. New Zealand has also warned against the pact, which it says could disrupt long-term regional security co-operation. Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said on Friday he respected Sogavare’s prospects, but urged caution. China had set up 20 military bases in the South China Sea despite telling the United States it would not militarize the region and Canberra feared Beijing was on a similar route to the Pacific islands, Dutton said in an interview with Sky News. “They want a military port in the PNG [Papua New Guinea]. “They have one in Sri Lanka and they are obviously looking for other places where they can put it.” A Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands will push Australia to significantly increase its military development in the region because the islands are very close to Australia, he said. The story goes on “The Chinese are incredibly aggressive. The tactics they are developing in small island nations are quite remarkable,” he added. China’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday “China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is not aimed at any third party and does not conflict with other countries” and the agreement covers social order, protection of lives and property and natural disasters. . (Report by Kirsty Needham. Edited by Gerry Doyle)
title: “Solomon Islands Says Won T Allow Chinese Military Base And Knows Ramification " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-20” author: “Agnes Davenport”
Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register SYDNEY, April 1 (Reuters) – Amid a regional backlash, the Solomon Islands have said they will not allow a Chinese military base in the Pacific nation despite plans to sign a security pact with Beijing. A day after officials from the two countries initialed a draft security agreement, the office of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said on Friday that the agreement did not call on China to establish a military base. “The government is aware of the security ramifications from hosting a military base and will not be careless in allowing such an initiative to take place under its supervision,” a statement said. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Sogavare did not release details of the security deal with China amid concerns over a leaked plan to allow Chinese naval vessels to be refreshed on the islands. The ministers have not signed it yet. The leader of the Federated States of Micronesia on Thursday urged the Solomon Islands not to sign the security pact, saying he had “serious security concerns” and feared the Pacific could be embroiled in a war between China and the United States. read more New Zealand has also warned against the pact, which it says could disrupt long-term regional security co-operation. Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said on Friday he respected Sogavare’s prospects, but urged caution. China had set up 20 military bases in the South China Sea despite telling the United States it would not militarize the region and Canberra feared Beijing was on a similar route to the Pacific islands, Dutton said in an interview with Sky News. “They want a military port in the PNG [Papua New Guinea]. “They have one in Sri Lanka and they are obviously looking for other places where they can put it.” A Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands will push Australia to significantly increase its military development in the region because the islands are very close to Australia, he said. “The Chinese are incredibly aggressive. The tactics they are developing in small island nations are quite remarkable,” he added. China’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday “China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is not aimed at any third party and does not conflict with other countries” and the agreement covers social order, protection of lives and property and natural disasters. . Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Report by Kirsty Needham. Edited by Gerry Doyle Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
