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Solomons PM Sogavare says China deal ‘ready for signing’ and Australia, New Zealand remain partners ‘ of choice’
- Manasseh Sogavare told parliament the security agreement, which has alarmed Australia and New Zealand, was being finalised
- He also rejected suggestions that Beijing’s presence was a security threat to the region, adding the island nation would not ‘pick sides’
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The Solomon Islands’ prime minister said Tuesday that a contentious security agreement with Beijing was “ready for signing”, denying reports that his country had been pressured to allow a Chinese naval base to be built in the Pacific island nation.
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In an impassioned speech to parliament, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare offered little detail on the shape of the final deal beyond saying that there was “no intention whatsoever … to ask China to build a military base in the Solomon Islands”.
He dismissed reports in the Australian media that his country was being “pressured by the People’s Republic of China to build a military base in Solomon Islands”.
“Where does that nonsense come from? The security treaty … is pursued at the request of the Solomon Islands’ government,” he said.
“We are not pressured. We are not pressured in any way by our new friends.”
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A draft version of the agreement, leaked last week, sent shock waves through Canberra because it included proposals that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Pacific island nation. New Zealand and the United States also expressed concern.
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