Australia, New Zealand unsettled as Solomon Islands confirms China military deal

The government said the pact would cover humanitarian needs besides maintaining the rule of law after a draft document was leaked

Expressing concern about the proposal, Australian PM Morrison said he has reached out to Honiara while New Zealand sought transparency from Pacific partners

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:18pm, 25 Mar 2022Updated: 4:13pm, 25 Mar 2022

Australia and New Zealand expressed concerned on Friday about the impact of a military deal between China and the Solomon Islands on regional security after a draft document outlining proposed cooperation was leaked.

The security treaty, if concluded, would be a major inroad for China in a region that US allies Australia and New Zealand have for decades seen as their “backyard”.

In its first comments on the matter, the Solomon Islands government confirmed it was “diversifying the country’s security partnership including with China”, and would sign off a number of agreements with Beijing “to further create a secure and safe environment for local and foreign investments”.

“Broadening partnerships is needed to improve the quality of lives of our people and address soft and hard security threats facing the country,” the government said in a statement.

The proposed security arrangements with China would cover humanitarian needs besides maintaining the rule of law, it added.

The nation needed to rebuild its economy after recent riots, and would sign an air services agreement with China and increase trade.

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