Despite resistance from Australia and New Zealand, the Solomon Islands are closing in on China. The US sends its Indo-Pacific coordinator and warns of an “open door” to China.
The Solomon Islands group in the South Pacific has struck a controversial security cooperation agreement with China, despite opposition from its neighbors Australia and New Zealand. As Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his colleague Jeremiah Manele “recently” signed a corresponding framework agreement.
Cooperation includes maintaining social order, protecting people’s security and property, humanitarian assistance and responding to natural disasters, the spokesperson said. The Solomon Islands government should also be helped to develop its own security capabilities. The spokesperson did not give specific details.
“China-Solomon Islands security cooperation aims to promote long-term social stability and tranquility in the islands,” the spokesman said. The cooperation is also not aimed at other countries, Wang Wenbin said, apparently responding to concerns from neighbors Australia, New Zealand and the United States, which urged the Solomon Islands not to sign the agreement.
Concerns over Chinese military base in Solomon Islands
The US government is sending a senior delegation to the Solomon Islands this week, led by Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell. US State Department spokesman Ned Price warned in Washington that the broad nature of the agreement “leaves the door open for the deployment of military forces from the People’s Republic”. He also expressed concern that the cooperation could destabilize the Solomon Islands.
After the archipelago gave up diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and established relations with Beijing, serious disturbances erupted in November, which were also directed at Chinese businessmen. Australia also sent soldiers and police to the Solomon Islands after the disturbances.
China’s leaders do not allow their diplomatic partners to maintain relations with Taipei and Beijing because they see democratic Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic.
(APA/dpa)