Biden administration warns Solomon Islands over China pact

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The Biden administration warned the Solomon Islands on Thursday that if its recently concluded cooperation agreement with China threatens US or allied interests, the US will take unspecified action.

A senior US delegation delivered the message directly to the country’s leadership, the White House said. To the White House’s surprise, the delegation expressed concern that the deal with China raises questions about its scope and purpose.

China and the Solomon Islands confirmed last week that they had signed a security pact, alarming neighbours and Western allies who fear a military buildup in the region.

The White House said in a statement that Solomon Islands representatives indicated that the agreement had solely domestic applications, but the U.S. delegation noted there are potential regional security implications of the accord, including for the United States and its allies and partners.

“The U.S. delegation outlined clear areas of concern with respect to the purpose, scope, and transparency of the agreement,” it said. “If steps are taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power-projection capabilities, or a military installation, the delegation noted that the United States would then have significant concerns and respond accordingly.”

No indication of a US response was given.

Assuring the US that there would be no long-term Chinese presence or power projection capability on the islands, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was quoted as saying.

According to a leaked draught of the agreement, China could send police and armed forces to the Solomon Islands to help maintain social order. They haven’t released the final agreement.

Concerns about the situation were addressed by a high-level strategic dialogue proposed by the US and accepted by the Solomon Islands.

Kurt Campbell, National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator, and Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, led the US delegation.

An embassy in Honiara, the Solomons’ capital, was also discussed during the visit. Since 1993, the embassy has been shut.

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