US, Australia Pressure Solomon Islands To Reject Pact With China Due To Security Concerns

Australia and the United States are heightening diplomatic efforts with the Solomon Islands, following China's proposed security agreement with the island country to allow Beijing to establish a military presence in the South Pacific region.

Senator Zed Seselja, Australia's Pacific Minister, went to the Solomon Islands to "respectfully" persuade the country's leadership not to sign the contentious agreement with China, as reported by ABC News.

Seselja traveled to Honiara to express his worries to the government over a deal that could allow for a Chinese military presence near Australia.

Australia Reiterates Its Strong Ties With Solomon Islands

Seselja stressed that Australia remains dedicated to assisting the Solomon Islands to fulfill its security needs "quickly, transparently, and with full respect for its sovereignty" in a statement released after meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Senator Seselja stated that Australia had been a "strong partner" to the Solomon Islands for many years, supporting the country's security needs through the Solomons International Assistance Force and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

"Working together, we can make sure that all of the security needs of the Solomon Islands are taken care of," the official said.

An overseas journey by a minister during the "caretaker" period before an election is unprecedented. It reflects Australia's rising apprehension over the soon-to-be-signed arrangement between China and the Solomon Islands.

According to a report by The Guardian, a leaked draft of the deal indicated China may conduct ship trips to, carry out "logistical replenishment in and have a stopover and transition in the Solomon Islands. It also includes the provision that the Chinese military may be employed "to defend the safety of Chinese employees and significant projects in the Solomon Islands."

Prime Minister Sogavare has moved to ease fears by stating that his country has no intention of permitting a Chinese naval station. But Sogavare has also stated that being labeled "unfit to manage" the country's sovereign affairs is extremely disrespectful.

US Senators Push Stronger American Military Presence in Australia

Meanwhile, US lawmakers pressed for a stronger US military presence in Australia to counter China's rising military posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham commented controversial pact between the Solomon Islands and China that would allow Beijing to establish a military base in the Indo-Pacific.

Sky News Australia reported that Senator Graham said he was "willing" to deploy US troops to Australia to ensure security while the AUKUS submarines are built.

Senator Graham said that he sees "an opening" in the region "to push back on China in a way that would fundamentally change the fear that you have of a very bad neighbor."

Senator Menendez admitted that while he accepted Prime Minister Sogavare's word, the US and Australia's "most significant interest" was to ensure that no military base is built in the Indo-Pacific.

He added that while China may appear to bring good intentions, there needed a "deeper understanding" of its objectives. The lawmaker cited the case in Africa where China seems to be "coming in with good intentions" that Beijing's "coercive practices" will eventually put the smaller country under China's ownership.

"I don't' think anyone wants to be owned by China," Menendez said.

Senator Menendez revealed that President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor was visiting the Solomon Islands to reiterate that ensuring that "there is not a Chinese base there" is in the best interests of the US, Australia, and the Solomon Islands.

Tags

Australia, United States, China