Australia alarmed by prospect of China-Solomon Islands security pact
Editor’s Note: Center Senior Fellow Grant Newsham was quoted in this piece by the Wall Street Journal
SYDNEY—Australia expressed alarm at the prospect of one of its closest neighbors falling more under Beijing’s sway after a document circulated online suggesting China and the Solomon Islands are crafting a new security pact.
The draft document, titled as a framework agreement on security cooperation, said the Solomon Islands could ask China to send armed police and military personnel to quell unrest, among other missions, including disaster response. It also said the Solomon Islands could allow Chinese naval ships to dock in the country and protect the safety of Chinese citizens and major projects.
Australia, which sent a peacekeeping force to the Solomon Islands in November to help restore order after violent protests, said on Thursday that Pacific countries don’t need security assistance from outside a region that is becoming more crucial for U.S. and allied military planners as they sharpen their focus on Asia.
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