According to the PRC, the main purpose of this treaty is to “assist Solomon Islands in maintaining social order.” Major actors in the Pacific have expressed their concerns about China’s growing influence and the possibility of its first military base in the Pacific region. What role do Solomon Islands play in the confrontation between the West and China, and will the island nation be forced to choose sides?
Murat Gibadyukov
17 October 2022
According to the draft version of the cooperation agreement leaked in March of 2022, the Solomon Islands authorities will not only be able to request Chinese assistance from the police, military personnel, and other law enforcement forces, but troops from China can also be sent to the Islands to “protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects.”
Washington and its allies in the region fear that such a move could strengthen Beijing’s position by giving it a military beachhead in the South Pacific. After the official announcement of the agreement by Manasseh Sogavare, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, the US Department of State spokesperson, Ned Price, stated that “…the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of PRC military forces to Solomon Islands… signing such an agreement could increase destabilization within Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific region.”
Concerns about the agreement have been expressed by other major actors in the region, including Australia. In a joint statement on 19 April, Australian Foreign Minister Maris Payne and Pacific Affairs Minister Zed Seselja said they were “deeply disappointed” with the deal: “We are concerned about the lack of transparency with which this agreement has been developed, noting its potential to undermine stability in our region. We continue to seek further clarity on the terms of the agreement, and its consequences for the Pacific region.”
