A Chinese Military Base In The Solomon Islands?

The Telegraph: Fears of military build-up as China secretly leases entire island in South China Seas

The government of the Solomon Islands has reached a secretive deal with a Chinese company with close ties to the Communist party that grants it exclusive rights to develop Tulagi, once the seat of British colonial rule in the Pacific archipelago.

The confidential arrangement has alarmed residents and raised fears that Beijing could be planning to use the tiny territory for future military rather than just commercial purposes.

Tulagi, which has a protected deepwater harbour, has long been viewed as a strategic outpost. Japan occupied the island during World War 2 in 1942 before it was seized back by the US marines in a fierce battle.

China extended its reach last month after it persuaded the Solomon Islands and the Pacific nation of Kiribati to switch formal diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing, as it seeks to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region while undermining the US and its allies’ strategy there.

A copy of the “strategic cooperation agreement” which sets out a renewable 75-year lease was granted to the China Sam Enterprise Group, a conglomerate founded in 1985 as a state-owned enterprise, according to the New York Times, which obtained a copy.

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Update: China signs deal to 'lease' Pacific island in Solomons (AFP)

WNU Editor: Why keep the deal secret? In exchange for a lot of money the Solomon Islands government basically gave a strategic island with a deepwater harbour to the Chinese for 75 years (that can be renewed for even longer). So why the concern? This island and harbour has no commercial value to the Chinese, but it has tremendous value as a base for Chinese warships and other military assets.