Solomon Islands

2022 - 3 - 29

Solomon Islands leader defends possible China deal, calls backlash ... (CNN)

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 9, 2019. (CNN) ...

The arrangement is "an issue of concern for the region," Morrison told reporters -- but added it did not come as a surprise. For decades, Australia has enjoyed strong influence among the Pacific Islands as a wealthy donor assisting the aid-dependent nations. "We find it very insulting to be branded as unfit to manage our sovereign affairs," Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said in Parliament Tuesday, addressing the international backlash. "We have no intention, Mr Speaker, of pitching into any geopolitical power struggle." The Solomon Islands government noted that agreement in its 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." He also criticized Australian media over its reports that Beijing is allegedly planning to build a military base in the Solomon Islands -- a potential first for China in the Pacific region regarded by Canberra as its backyard.

A Solomon Islands test for the free and open Indo-Pacific | The ... (The Strategist)

He said the US needed to do more in the region quickly and work with partners like Australia, Japan, France and New Zealand. Last week we saw an example of this ...

We can’t ignore or dismiss this and perhaps it is time to rethink how we get this right. We should be placing much more focus on professional development, training and capacity-building for security forces. He said that it presents a ‘genuine threat’ to his province and its people. We need to rethink our security and defence cooperation programs. It also states that China may ‘make ship visits, to carry out logistical replenishment in, and have stopover and transition in Solomon Islands’. But while there have been some excellent initiatives, sometimes the local reality doesn’t match the Canberra rhetoric.

Solomon Islands confirms security negotiations with China, will not ... (CNA)

SYDNEY: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that the backlash to his country's security negotiations with China was "very insulting", ...

The islands switched diplomatic allegiance to mainland China from Taiwan in 2019. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that it was a "potential militarisation of the region", and Australia's Defence Minister Peter Dutton said that Canberra would be concerned if the deal led to a Chinese military base in the Pacific. SYDNEY: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that the backlash to his country's security negotiations with China was "very insulting", in his first comments on a proposed security treaty he said was being finalised.

Solomon Islands PM hits out at criticism over China deal (1 News)

Manasseh Sogavare said he finds it "very insulting" for his country to be branded as unfit to manage its own sovereign affairs.

“We do not have any external alliances Mr Speaker nor to do wish to pick any big side the only side we will pick Mr Speaker is our national security interest,” he said. He added that the notion held by some leaders “that the region’s security is threatened by the presence of China’s region” is utter nonsense. “This means Mr Speaker working with all partners and I mean all partners who are willing to support us in the spirit of diplomacy and being friends to all,” he said.

Solomon Islands prime minister says foreign criticism of China ... (The Guardian)

Manasseh Sogavare says it is 'utter nonsense' that China's presence is a threat to regional stability.

They discussed their ongoing commitment, as members of the Pacific family, to the Solomon Islands Assistance Force,” an Australian readout stated. “We welcome any country that is willing to support us in our security space. “In this context, Solomon Islands will seek partnership with friendly foreign governments.” What is wrong with that?” When a helpless mouse is cornered by vicious cats, it will do anything to survive.” Sogavare said the security approach was not done in a vacuum nor without consideration for the country’s partners, adding that it was “sad” that it had been perceived as being insensitive to external issues.

Solomon Islands PM says China security deal 'ready for signing' (FRANCE 24)

The Solomon Islands' prime minister said Tuesday that a contentious security agreement with Beijing was "ready for signing", denying reports that his ...

He said that it was "very insulting... The document is ready for signing." In an impassioned speech to parliament, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare offered little detail on the shape of the final deal beyond saying that there was "no intention whatsoever... The security treaty... "Where does that nonsense come from? He dismissed reports in the Australian media that his country was being "pressured by the People's Republic of China to build a military base in Solomon Islands".