Amid China concerns, Solomon Islands says Australia, New Zealand exempt from naval visit ban

Name: Chinese foreign minister starts Pacific tour, offering security and free trade pacts
Uploaded: 2022-09-05T07:45:16.000Z
Duration: 3 min 15 s
Description: Chinese foreign minister starts Pacific tour, offering security and free trade pacts

Ships deployed under an ‘international assistance force’ pact between the three countries and Fiji are exempt, PM Manesseh Sogavare told parliament

Foreign military vessels responding to a request for assistance from the Solomon Islands government would also be exempt from the ban, he said

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Ships are seen docked offshore in Honiara, capital of Solomon Islands. Photo: AP

Reuters

Published: 3:45pm, 5 Sep 2022

Navy vessels from Australia and New Zealand will be exempt from a temporary ban on foreign ships entering the ports of the Solomon Islands, the Pacific island nation’s prime minister told parliament on Monday.

Foreign military vessels responding to a request for assistance from the Solomon Islands government would also be exempt, Prime Minister Manesseh Sogavare said.

The Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China in April, which a leaked draft said allows the Chinese navy to replenish in Honiara, prompting concern from the United States, Australia and New Zealand about China’s growing influence.

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Chinese foreign minister starts Pacific tour, offering security and free trade pacts

Last week, Sogavare announced a moratorium on foreign navy vessels entering port following incidents in which a US coastguard vessel and a British navy vessel on patrol for illegal fishing were unable to refuel in Honiara.

Questioned by opposition members of parliament about the moratorium, Sogavare said military vessels deployed under the auspices of the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIIAF), a treaty under which Australia, New Zealand and Fiji work with the Solomon Islands police, would be exempt.

“Military vessels deployed under SIIAF are therefore exempted during the period of the moratorium,” he said.

The US, which plans to open an embassy in Honiara, said it was informed on August 29 of a moratorium on all foreign navy vessels.