Solomon Islands lashes out at Australia over China security pact criticism
- Addressing parliament on Friday, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare pointed out that his country had never been consulted about the Aukus alliance
- ‘We did not become theatrical or hysterical about the implications this would have for us,’ he said in pointed remarks. ‘We respected Australia’s decision.’
In September, the countries announced the trilateral defence partnership known as Aukus, which allows the countries to share technology covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, underwater systems and long-range strike capabilities.
“The Aukus treaty will see nuclear submarines in Pacific waters. I learnt of the Aukus treaty in the media. One would expect that as a member of the Pacific family, Solomon Islands and members of the Pacific should have been consulted to ensure this Aukus treaty is transparent,” Sogavare said, echoing comments made by China’s foreign ministry.
“I realise that Australia is a sovereign country, which can enter into any treaty it wants to, transparently or not, which is exactly what they did with Aukus.”
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“When Australia signed up to Aukus, we did not become theatrical or hysterical about the implications this would have for us,” Sogavare said. “We respected Australia’s decision.”
During recent unrest in Solomon Islands both Australia and New Zealand sent defence force personnel, vessels and police to support the country’s stability.
However, Sogavare criticised its own treaty with Australia, labelling it “inadequate” as it “did not manage to contain” riots in November.
China’s attempts to extend its military influence in the Pacific have put Western allies on guard, and the security pact with the Solomons has roiled the Australian election campaign.
China hits back at Australia over Solomon Islands ‘red line’
While details of the pact with China have not been disclosed, Sogavare has ruled out a military base and said it covers domestic policing.
Opposition parties have criticised the government’s secrecy over the terms of the pact with Beijing, and Western allies are concerned that it could provide a gateway for a Chinese military presence.
Australia and New Zealand have warned the pact could upset long standing regional security cooperation.
Sogavare said White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell - who visited Hoinara days after the security pact with China was announced - and a separate Japanese delegation had warned him against allowing China to build a naval base because it was not in the region’s interests. Sogavare, who has previously said that there were no such plans, said he agreed with the delegations.
We don’t need to be reminded of the cost of war
“We don’t need to be reminded of the cost of war,” Sogavare told parliament.
He said the Solomon Islands would never accept the militarisation of the Pacific after what it experienced in World War Two, and criticised the United States for failing to include the islands in funding for post-war reconstruction.
Campbell had agreed to speed up the removal of unexploded World War Two ordnance, Sogavare said.
The island nation, located northeast of Australia, is home to only about 700,000 people, but has great strategic importance. China is increasingly active in the Pacific, a region where the US has traditionally held sway.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters on Friday he spoke to Sogavare the day after the announcement of Aukus and he had not raised any objections.
Additional reporting by Reuters
