Solomon Islands confirms expanding security cooperation with China

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) - The Solomon Islands on Friday confirmed its expanding security cooperation with China and other countries.

In a statement, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that the decision was based on the archipelago nation's security policy and foreign policy based on the motto, "friends to all, enemies to none."

"Broadening partnerships (are) needed to improve the quality of lives of our people and address soft and hard security threats facing the country," Sogavare added.

The statement came after a draft security cooperation agreement got viral on social media which shows the Solomon Islands would allow Beijing to deploy police and military personnel in the country.

The report alarmed its neighbor, Australia over the presence of Chinese troops in the South Pacific.

"We would be concerned, clearly, about any military base being established and we'd express that to the Solomon Islands Government," Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton told local broadcaster Channel Nine.

Australia and China have been at loggerheads after Canberra joined its Western allies in seeking a probe into the origins of COVID-19, which first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Australia is also part of the quadrilateral security dialogue (Quad) – which includes the US, Japan, Australia, and India -- which China views as a threat.

"We want peace and stability in our region. We don't want unsettling influences, and we don't want pressure and exertion that we're seeing from China continue to roll out in the region," said the Australian defense minister further said.

In response, the government of the Solomon Islands said it values its relations with Australia but also wants to expand its security relations with other countries.

"The Solomon Islands continue to preserve its Security Agreement with Australia as it develops and deepens its relations with all partners including with China," it said.

Reacting to the latest development, Beijing said: "China and Solomon Islands are conducting normal law enforcement and security cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit."

"(It) conforms to international law and practices and is conducive to maintaining social order on the Solomon Islands and regional peace and stability," said Wang Wenbin, spokesman of China's Foreign Ministry.