Micronesia leader urges Solomons to consider consequences of China pact on Pacific

In a letter, President David Panuelo voiced concern about the Pacific becoming ‘collateral damage’ in a potential conflict between the US and China
Solomons PM Manasseh Sogavare on Tuesday dismissed critics, saying it was ‘very insulting … to be branded as unfit to manage our sovereign affairs’ by other nations

Pacific nations

Agence France-Presse

Published: 12:30pm, 31 Mar 2022

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The president of the Federated States of Micronesia has sent an impassioned plea to the Solomon Islands’ prime minister, urging him to reconsider a controversial and “unprecedented” security pact with China.

President David Panuelo voiced “grave security concerns about this proposed agreement” in a March 30 letter released by his government Thursday, citing rising tensions between China and the United States.

“My fear is that we – the Pacific Islands – would be at the epicentre of a future confrontation between these major powers,” Panuelo wrote.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, left, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 9, 2019. Photo: AP

A leaked draft of the wide-ranging security agreement sparked rebuke from the US, Australia and New Zealand last week because it would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands’ prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, dismissed critics of the deal in a fiery speech Tuesday, saying it was “very insulting … to be branded as unfit to manage our sovereign affairs” by other nations.

In his letter to Sogavare, Panuelo asked the Solomons leader to consider the long-term consequences “for the entire Pacific region, if not the entire world” of signing the security pact.

He voiced concern about the Pacific becoming “collateral damage” in a potential conflict between the US and China, saying the region could be transformed into “the playground for children playing as adults”.

Solomons PM says China deal ‘ready for signing’ amid backlash

Panuelo lamented the regional schism as nations lined up behind China and the United States: “Wouldn’t it be terrific if they could see that the troubles of our times, such as climate change, require all of them working in concert instead of against each other?”

But he urged Sogavare to be pragmatic, given the rising tensions between the major powers and their allies.

Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said Thursday that the China-Solomon Islands pact – which is yet to be signed – would “change the calculus” of his country’s operations in the Pacific.