China is said to be discussing a secret security deal with the Pacific island nation of Solomon, a move that both Australia and New Zealand express deep concern.
A draft of a "security agreement" that China is said to be negotiating with the Solomons has become a concern for Australia and New Zealand - two countries that maintain great influence in the Pacific region. Positive.
Earlier, the media reported on a draft of a security cooperation agreement between China and the Solomon Islands, saying that the Pacific island nation might allow Beijing's ships to carry out resupply operations. logistics, stops and future transit.
According to the leaked text from last week, "Chinese forces may be authorized to protect the safety of Beijing's citizens and major projects" on the Solomon Islands.
The draft also proposes that the Solomon Islands government may require China to mobilize armed police, military personnel, armed forces and Pacific island law enforcement forces to carry out humanitarian or security missions. .
Immediately after being leaked, the draft attracted attention when observers said it was a sign that China might set up a "first military base" in the Pacific.
Over the weekend, the Solomons government confirmed it was "diversifying" its security relationship, beyond cooperation with Australia.
"The announcements of the agreement did not surprise us and are a reminder of the growing pressures and threats in the region to our own national security," said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. reported on March 28.
Meanwhile, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce doubts that Beijing's naval presence in the Solomon Islands could "threaten" Australia or "limit our ability to move in the region".
Both Australia and New Zealand have raised questions about plans to create a military base - if realized, it would be less than 2,000km off the Australian coast. The two countries have expressed concern that this could be a potential militarization of the Pacific region.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the secret deal China was discussing with the Solomons was "deeply concerning" to Wellington.
The news of China's increased presence in the Pacific comes amid Australia's expanding military budget and cooperation with its US and British allies in the AUKUS security agreement. Australia is expected to be supported by a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines, a move strongly opposed by China, which thinks it could lead to an arms race in the region.
According to observers, China's move could continue to heat up the race for influence between the West and Beijing in the Pacific.
In February, the US announced the opening of an embassy in the Solomons after learning that China appeared to want to establish military ties with the island nation.
In recent years, Solomon and China are increasingly improving security relations. In 2019, Solomon severed ties with the island of Taiwan and turned to establish diplomatic relations with China. China is also Solomon's largest trading partner and exempts 97 percent of the goods from tariffs.
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