China signs security pact with Solomon Islands

China said yesterday it had signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, a move set to heighten the concerns of the United States and allies Australia and New Zealand about growing Chinese influence in a region traditionally under their sway.

The framework pact was recently signed by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Manele, Foreign Ministry spokesman

Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing.

He did not give details of where, or precisely when, the signing took place.

Canberra is concerned that the pact, details of which have not been made public, could be a step towards a Chinese military presence less than 2,000km from Australia.

Earlier yesterday, the Pacific island nation was told that China would send officials to the capital next month to sign cooperation pacts.

Although the Chinese embassy and Solomon Islands officials had previously initialled a security pact that would allow Chinese police to protect infrastructure and social order, ministers had not yet signed it.

Last week, Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja visited Honiara to ask Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare not to sign the framework pact.

On Monday, the White House said a high-level American delegation, including Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, would also travel to Honiara this week to discuss concerns about China, as well as the reopening of a US embassy.

“Deliberate attempts to inflate tensions and mobilise rival camps are also doomed to fail,” Chinese spokesman Wang said yesterday, when asked about the US officials’ scheduled visit.

Honiara’s parliament was told by Douglas Ete, chairman of the public accounts committee and lawmaker for East Honiara, that Chinese Foreign Ministry officials would arrive next month.

Ete said the visit meant the two nations would increase cooperation on trade, education and fisheries, but added that he rejected the idea of the Solomons signing a security pact with China to set up a military base. – Reuters