Australia, New Zealand raise concerns over China's security pact with Solomon Islands

Australia and New Zealand have expressed concerns over security pact between Solomon Islands and China. Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Zed Seselja, Minister for International Development and Pacific, in a joint statement, called security cooperation agreement between Solomon Islands and China "deeply disappointing". Payne and Seselja emphasised that y were 'concerned' over lack of transparency with agreement.

Similarly, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta stated that Wellington has been "sdened" that Solomon Islands signed an agreement with China, BBC News reported. Marise Payne and Zed Seselja highlighted that y respect right of Solomon Islands to make decisions regarding its national security, however, y are concerned over lack of transparency in agreement. two leers in statement ted that agreement could undermine stability.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Pacific Minister Zed Seselja called for "clarity" on terms of agreement signed between China and Solomon Islands. two leers in joint statement said, "Our consistently stated view, including from perspective of Australia’s national interests, remains that Pacific family is best placed to meet security needs of region."

"We are concerned about lack of transparency with which this agreement has been developed, ting its potential to undermine stability in our region," Marise Payne and Zed Seselja said in joint statement. 

US expresses concern over security pact between China & Solomon Islands 

Meanwhile, United States, Japan, New Zealand and Australia have jointly raised concerns over security pact signed between China and Solomon Islands. White House National Security Council spokesperson rienne Watson in a statement on Tuesday, April 19, said that security pact between China and Solomon Islands poses “serious risks” to free and open Indo-Pacific.

A leaked draft of agreement has indicated that Chinese warships could be allowed to dock on island and Beijing would be able to deploy security personnel in Solomon Islands to "assist in maintaining social order," as per BBC report. Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, without mentioning terms of agreement, stated that ir pact with China will t "undermine peace and harmony" in region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson anunced agreement between two nations on Tuesday, April 19. 

White House National Security Council Spokesperson rienne Watson, in a statement, said, "Officials from four countries represented also shared concerns about a proposed security framework between Solomon Islands and People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its serious risks to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

(Im: AP)