New China-Solomon Islands Police Deal Trigger Concerns
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands kicked off his trip to China this week with a clear goal — to deepen bilateral ties with Beijing, causing alarm among some Western nations.
Among the highlights of the trip: Solomon Islands inaugurated its embassy in Beijing and the two countries signed a total of nine documents, including a police cooperation deal that will be effective through 2025.
In response to the signing of the agreements between China and Solomon Islands, the U.S. and Australia have urged Beijing and Honiara to release details of the policing deals.
A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement that Canberra is concerned the development will “invite further regional contest.”
In an interview with VOA Mandarin, John Hennessey-Niland, the former U.S. ambassador to Palau, said he is disturbed by the secrecy around the agreements.
"[There are] concerns about what the agreements between Solomon Islands and China may lead to," he said, adding it could result in a military presence in the middle of the Pacific, which is something that the world wants to avoid.
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The deepening partnership between Solomon Islands and China in recent months, especially in security-related sectors, has alarmed Western democracies, such as the U.S. and Australia.
Source: VOA
New China-Solomon Islands Police Deal Trigger Concerns
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