Solomons Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is heading to China following a week-long trip to Australia, his office said in a statement received on Monday.
The Pacific leader will tour China from early July, meeting with the Chinese "leadership" in Beijing as well as visiting the provinces of Fujian and Shandong, it said.
"Manele wishes to use the visit to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirm his government's commitment to work with China in areas of mutual interest."
He will then travel to Tokyo from July 16-18 for a meeting with other Pacific leaders.
Manele's three-nation tour is his first official international trip as prime minister since he replaced enthusiastic Beijing supporter Manasseh Sogavare in May.
The Solomons leader has been less strident in his support for China than Sogavare, who severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and was seen as deeply sceptical of both Australia and the United States.
Sogavare notably signed a secretive security pact with Beijing in 2022 that alarmed the United States and its Pacific allies, including Australia.
Manele has nevertheless reaffirmed his support for the "one China" principle and expressed his "deep appreciation" for Chinese investment and aid.
The Solomons leader is currently on a June 23-29 visit to Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is to host Manele at parliament for talks to strengthen relations "including through security partnerships", Albanese's office has said.
Discussions in Canberra are expected to include police cooperation, humanitarian aid and a scheme offering agricultural work in Australia for Solomon Islanders.
Solomons PM to discuss security ties in Australia
Sydney (AFP) June 21, 2024 -
The new leader of Solomon Islands will visit Australia from Sunday to discuss security ties, government officials said -- a sensitive area since the Pacific nation signed a secretive pact with China.
Solomons Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will visit Canberra and Queensland on his week-long trip, Australian officials said.
It will be his first visit to Australia as prime minister since he replaced enthusiastic Beijing supporter Manasseh Sogavare in May.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host Manele at parliament for talks to strengthen relations "including through security partnerships", his office said in a statement on Friday.
"We highly value our position as Solomon Islands' partner of choice," Albanese said.
"My government is committed to listening and working with Solomon Islands as equals, and to discussing how we can deepen our partnership into a new era of cooperation."
Discussions will include police cooperation, humanitarian aid and a scheme offering agricultural work in Australia for Solomon Islanders.
Manele has been less strident in his support for China than Sogavare, who severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and was seen as deeply sceptical of both Australia and the United States.
He has nevertheless reaffirmed his support for the "one-China" principle and expressed his "deep appreciation" for Chinese investment and aid.
Sogavare signed a security pact with Beijing in 2022 that set alarm bells ringing in Western capitals.
Its contents have not been officially released.
Australia and the United States feared China could use the agreement as a springboard to establish a permanent military presence in the South Pacific.
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