Solomon Islands leader again rules out China base in his country, reassures Australia
- PM Manasseh Sogavare reiterated that the Solomons will never be used for foreign military installations or institutions of foreign countries
- A bilateral security agreement with China signed early this year raised concerns of a Chinese naval base being established in the South Pacific
The Solomon Islands prime minister assured Australia on Thursday that he would not “endanger his country” by allowing China to establish a naval base in the South Pacific.
Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made his first visit to the Australian capital Canberra since his counterpart Anthony Albanese’s centre-left Labour Party came to power at elections in May.
“Prime minister, I reiterate again that Solomon Islands will never be used for foreign military installations or institutions of foreign countries, because this will not be in the interest of Solomon Islands and its people,” Sogavare told Albanese in front of reporters before their meeting began in Parliament House.
A bilateral security agreement between China and the Solomons signed early this year raised concerns of a Chinese naval base being established in the South Pacific. China has denied seeking a military foothold in the Solomons.
“My government’s legacy is to safeguard the future of Solomon Islands and its people, and not to endanger the country and its citizens or the security of any forum country,” Sogavare added, referring to the Pacific Islands Forum, a bloc of 18 regional neighbours that includes Australia.
The pair released a joint statement after their meeting rather than hold a customary joint press conference. The leaders “reaffirmed mutual security commitments and the Pacific family first approach to regional peace and security,” the statement said.