WASHINGTON (CU)_The government of the Solomon Islands last month, announced plans to strengthen its military cooperation with China and enter into a security pact with the country. However, the partnership is viewed by many as a major inroad for Beijing in a region where the US and its allies, Australia and New Zealand have for decades seen as their “backyard”. Following widespread regional backlash, Honiara reaffirmed that it would not allow a Chinese military base in the country, but US officials remain concerned.
According to US State Department spokesman Ned Price, Washington remains concerned over the broad nature of the proposed security pact between China and the Pacific archipelago, which leaves the door open for Chinese forces to be deployed in the region. “We believe that signing such an agreement could increase destabilisation within the Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region,” he said at a regular press briefing. He went on to confirm that White House Indo-Pacific co-ordinator, Kurt Campbell, and the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, will lead a delegation to the Solomon Islands, amid concerns over the pact.
In February this year, the United States revealed that it would be opening an embassy in the Solomon Islands, as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen its diplomatic and security relations the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing influence in the region. According to Price, concerns over China would be among the subjects of discussion between US and Solomon Islands officials.
He added that Washington’s policy toward the region concentrates on ensuring countries understand the benefits of engagement with the US and not about China or any other country. “We’ll leave it to them to contrast what we offer from what other countries, including rather large countries in the region, might offer,” the State Department spokesman added.
