Solomon Islands

2022 - 3 - 25

Solomon Islands reassures Australia as it works on China security deal (unknown)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, October 9, 2019. Hong ...

They will be watched from (the) Solomons." "We want peace and stability in the region. "That is our backyard, that is our neighborhood, and we are very concerned about any activity that is taking place in the Pacific Islands. Our Pacific Island friends know that we are there to support them," she said. CNN could not independently verify the authenticity of these documents. The statement also says that the Solomon Islands is working to "sign off and implement" arrangements with China, in the areas of civil aviation, trade, and education, including sending more students to China to study abroad. The Solomon Islands government noted that agreement in their statement Friday, saying it will "continue to preserve its Security Agreement with Australia as it develops and deepen its relations with all partners including with China."

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Reuters Australia"

'Great concern' over China-Solomon Islands deal: Australia PM (Reuters Australia)

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday there was "great concern" across the Pacific after Solomon Islands confirmed it was creating a ...

The Solomons has already signed a policing deal with China. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

In Australia's Backyard – China Inks Pact With Solomon Islands To ... (EurAsian Times)

The Solomon Island government's confirmation on the security deal with China has alarmed both Australia and New Zealand who see it as a move for the ...

“We want peace and stability in the region. Nevertheless, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a media briefing on March 25, that this agreement was “in line with the international law and international practice, conducive to maintaining social order in the Solomon Islands and promoting peace and stability in the region, and helpful to enhance common interests of China and the Solomon Islands, as well as all countries in the region.” He urged Australia to “see this objectively and calmly, and refrain from over-interpreting it.” According to the leaked papers, Beijing will be allowed to deploy forces to “protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands.” The island nation could also “request China to send police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces,” according to the document.

Statement on Solomon Islands (unknown)

Through COVID, tropical cyclones and volcanic eruptions, Australia has shown we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Pacific family, through good times ...

Last year, Australia spent a record $1.7 billion in development assistance and will continue responding to our Pacific partners’ priorities such as climate change, COVID-19 recovery and economic and security challenges. We have regularly and respectfully raised our concerns with the Solomon Islands Government and will continue to do so. When members of the Pacific family work together, we can respond to the security challenges in our region.

Chinese draft security deal with Solomon Islands didn’t blindside Australia, Morrison says (unknown)

Analysts say unratified document which would allow China to base ships in the Pacific is a 'wish list' which reveals nation's intent in 'black and white'

We need to make sure that we engage with the region.” “We have had the Pacific step-up in terms of rhetoric. “When this government came to office and withdrew funding, in terms of its aid and its presence in the Pacific, that was an error of judgment,” he said. In a statement released on Friday, the Solomon Islands’ government seemed to seek to reassure Australia, emphasising that “Solomon Islands values its 2017 Security Agreement with Australia” calling it the Pacific country’s “first Security Agreement”. “We share with our Pacific family values, we share culture, the principles of democracy and freedom, and these are things that are very important to the Pacific Island peoples.” While the document still needs to go through the Pacific nation’s cabinet, the Solomon Islands government confirmed on Friday it was seeking to “broaden its security and development cooperation with more countries”, referring to Australia and China as its “two major partners”.

Solomon Islands confirms proposed security deal with China (unknown)

Australia and New Zealand expressed concern on Friday over a leaked draft document outlining proposed military cooperation between China and the Solomon ...

The Solomon Islands has signed a policing deal with China and will send a proposal for a broader security agreement covering the military to its cabinet for consideration, a Solomon Islands official told Reuters on Thursday. In its first comments on the matter, the Solomon Islands government confirmed it was “diversifying the country’s security partnership including with China,” and would sign off on a number of agreements with Beijing “to further create a secure and safe environment for local and foreign investments.” A security agreement with Australia, signed in 2017, would be preserved as Solomon Islands deepened relations with China, it said.