Western Pressure Grows On Solomon Islands To Abandon Their Security Pact With China

Australia's north could soon be encircled by Chinese military forces as Beijing carries out a secret campaign to wield influence over small South Pacific nations, muscling in their seaports and eyeing off strategic patches of land  

AFP: Australia asks Solomon Islands to not sign China security pact 

Australia on Wednesday asked Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to not sign a controversial security pact with China. 

A leaked draft of the security agreement sent shockwaves across the region last month -- particularly measures that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands. 

This pressed on long-held fears in the United States and its allies about the potential of China building a naval base in the South Pacific, which would allow Beijing to project its naval power far beyond its borders.  

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Western Pressure Grows On Solomon Islands To Abandon Their Security Pact With China  

Western pressure mounts on Solomons to quash pact with China -- AP  

Australia-China relations: Solomon Islands faces pressure over security pact as US weighs in, Scott Morrison sends minister amid election campaign -- SCMP  

Federated States of Micronesia calls on Solomon Islands to reconsider security treaty with China -- ABC News Australia