Australia asks Solomon Islands to not sign China security pact

Australia on Wednesday asked Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to not sign a controversial security pact with China.

A leaked draft of the security agreement sent shockwaves across the region last month -- particularly measures that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands.

This pressed on long-held fears in the United States and its allies about the potential of China building a naval base in the South Pacific, which would allow Beijing to project its naval power far beyond its borders.

In a sign of the rising concern about the pact, which is close to being signed, Australia's government dispatched Pacific Minister Zed Seselja to the Solomons capital Honiara to meet in person with the island nation's prime minister.

Seselja said in a statement afterwards that he had asked Sogavare "respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our region's security frameworks".

"We welcome recent statements from Prime Minister Sogavare that Australia remains Solomon Islands security partner of choice, and his commitment that Solomon Islands will never be used for military bases or other military institutions of foreign powers."

Seselja's visit was the latest in a series of diplomatic entreaties to the Solomons.

It followed a call Tuesday between US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about plans to reopen the American embassy in Honiara after 29 years.

The same day, during a call with the head of Australia's foreign affairs department, Sherman "highlighted her concern about recent developments in the Indo-Pacific", according to her spokesperson.

The Financial Times reported Saturday that the White House's top Asia official, Kurt Campbell, was also set to visit the Solomons later this month.

Australia dispatches minister to Solomon Islands over China pact
Australia's Minister for the Pacific was dispatched to the Solomon Islands on Tuesday over a controversial security pact Western allies fear will enable a Chinese military foothold in the South Pacific.

Minister Zed Seselja will travel to Honiara, his office confirmed, despite his political party in Australia being in the grips of a close-fought federal election campaign.

"My discussions will include the proposed Solomon Islands-China security agreement," Seselja said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told AFP the Pacific nation's leader would "love to meet" with the Australian minister in Honiara.

A draft version of the security pact sent shockwaves across the region when it was leaked last month -- particularly measures that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands.

The United States and Australia have long been concerned about the potential for China to build a naval base in the South Pacific, allowing its navy to project power far beyond its borders.

Prime Minister Sogavare has said his government has "no intention whatsoever... to ask China to build a military base in the Solomon Islands".

Last late month, officials from China and the Solomon Islands agreed on elements of the final security agreement, but the document has not been made public.

The leaked draft would allow for armed Chinese police to be deployed at the Solomon Islands' request to maintain "social order".

Without the written consent of the other party, neither would be allowed to disclose the missions publicly.

Seselja's visit follows talks last week in Honiara between Australian intelligence chiefs and Solomon Islands officials over the security pact.

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