Solomon Islands

2022 - 3 - 28

Solomon Islands PM hits out at criticism over China deal (1 News)

Manasseh Sogavare said he finds it "very insulting" for his country to be branded as unfit to manage its own sovereign affairs.

“We do not have any external alliances Mr Speaker nor to do wish to pick any big side the only side we will pick Mr Speaker is our national security interest,” he said. He added that the notion held by some leaders “that the region’s security is threatened by the presence of China’s region” is utter nonsense. “This means Mr Speaker working with all partners and I mean all partners who are willing to support us in the spirit of diplomacy and being friends to all,” he said.

Solomon Islands prime minister says foreign criticism of China ... (The Guardian)

Manasseh Sogavare says it is 'utter nonsense' that China's presence is a threat to regional stability.

They discussed their ongoing commitment, as members of the Pacific family, to the Solomon Islands Assistance Force,” an Australian readout stated. “We welcome any country that is willing to support us in our security space. “In this context, Solomon Islands will seek partnership with friendly foreign governments.” What is wrong with that?” When a helpless mouse is cornered by vicious cats, it will do anything to survive.” Sogavare said the security approach was not done in a vacuum nor without consideration for the country’s partners, adding that it was “sad” that it had been perceived as being insensitive to external issues.

PM says Solomon Islands developing relationship with China ... (RNZ)

Jacinda Ardern says there is "very little" reason for China to station military forces on the Solomon Islands, describing developments as "gravely ...

China's been wary about putting straight military vessels into the Pacific ... and of course the draft agreement, if that's what gets agreed, says any such deployment would have to be on a mutual agreement of the two countries." A draft agreement - leaked online - indicated Solomon Islands would allow Beijing to send military forces there and make regular ship visits. The draft agreement talks about Chinese security assistance in a way that is similar to agreements Australia and New Zealand have reached with Solomon Islands about the deployment of military and policing personnel, Fraenkel said. Ardern said Peters seemed to be implying that the relationship between Solomon Islands and China is new, but that is not the case. Ardern said during the recent unrest experienced in Solomon Islands both Australia and New Zealand had personnel, vessels and a presence there to support the country's stability. "Now that we have the opportunity to travel into the Pacific safely and be welcomed, we are doing so."

Solomon Islands leader defends possible China security deal, calls ... (Henry Herald)

The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands on Tuesday defended the country's possible security deal with China, hitting back at critics and calling their ...

Solomon Islands PM rebukes NZ, Australia over China security deal ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Manasseh Sogavare has blasted the “insulting” disapproval of an impending agreement with Beijing, promising to sign despite last-minute lobbying.

Now that very well may not be a base, but it could certainly morph into one,” Powles said. Morrison, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, spoke with the prime ministers of Fiji and Papua New Guinea on Monday evening, in hope of eliciting their support. New Zealand and Australia, along with other Pacific nations, have long supported the Solomon Islands security. The speech came as both New Zealand and Australia scrambled to respond to the security arrangement after details were leaked on Thursday evening. Ardern, speaking on Tuesday afternoon about her conversation with Morrison, said both New Zealand and Australia continued to hold concerns over “the ongoing issues with the Solomon Islands and their engagement with China in a way that it may add to the militarisation of the Pacific”. This is utter nonsense.”

Solomon Islands PM says China security deal 'ready for signing' (FRANCE 24)

The Solomon Islands' prime minister said Tuesday that a contentious security agreement with Beijing was "ready for signing", denying reports that his ...

He said that it was "very insulting... The document is ready for signing." In an impassioned speech to parliament, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare offered little detail on the shape of the final deal beyond saying that there was "no intention whatsoever... The security treaty... "Where does that nonsense come from? He dismissed reports in the Australian media that his country was being "pressured by the People's Republic of China to build a military base in Solomon Islands".