HONIARA, 29 March: Recent reports from the Solomon Islands have confirmed that the local government is planning to strengthen its ties with China after the contents of their security proposal were leaked last week.
A representative told new outlets whereby the deal concerns security relations which will see Chinese military personnel deployed on foreign land. Such actions were set in the deal amidst growing concerns of instabilities within the local social order and security threats.
Opposition leader, Mathew Wale, of the Democratic party in the Solomon Islands, told reporters that he had warned Australia about the possibility of Chinese militarization in the country but his warnings were neglected.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not directly comment on the allegations but has stated that his government is well aware of the risks.
He said, “The reports that we’ve seen are not a surprise to us and a reminder of the constant pressure and threats that present in our region to our national security.”
The Australian Prime Minister continued by telling reporters he was due to speak with the leaders of Fiji and Papua New Guinea regarding the matter on Monday.
Similarly, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand told Radio NZ, “We see such acts as a potential militarization of the region and also see very little reason in terms of the Pacific security for such a need and such a presence.”
In response to the backlash, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said, “We are not pressured in any way by our new friends and there is no intention whatsoever to ask China to build a military base in the Solomon Islands.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, has also dismissed the concerns, saying, “the cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands has been warmly welcomed by the Solomon government and the people.” -TVS
