Rising concerns in Australia over possible Chinese base in Pacific

ANKARA (AA) - Australia's home affairs minister on Wednesday warned that China could deploy its troops in the Pacific after signing a security pact with the Solomon Islands.

During an interview with a local Brisbane radio station 4BC, Karen Andrews said it is very likely that China will deploy troops by next year.

"We need to be very conscious of what is happening in our region," she said.

China's move has raised concerns in Australia about a possible Chinese military base in the region.

Beijing, for its part, has denied any such plans.

"Certain Australian politicians often seek selfish political gains by making wild remarks to smear China and clamor for war," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a routine news briefing on Monday.

However, despite China's clarification, Andrews said Australia needs to be prepared and questioned the timing of signing the agreement.

"Beijing is clearly very aware that we are in a federal election campaign here at the moment. And now we have a significant focus on what is happening in the Pacific Islands and what China is, is doing now," she said.

China confirmed last week it has signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands, a country in Oceania comprising six major islands and over 900 smaller islands to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu.

Under the deal, China will help the Solomon Islands enhance its security and provide the latest equipment to the police force to enable them to deal with any future instability.

The move has triggered a chain reaction from Australia, New Zealand, the US and Japan.

However, Manasseh Sogavare, prime minister of the South Pacific nation, defended the decision calling on its neighbors to respect the sovereignty of the island nation.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid