China creates a base in the Solomon Islands

One of the highest-ranking US authorities in the Pacific has denied to rule out military action against the Solomon Islands. China is building a military base there, claiming that the security agreement between the two countries had “potential regional security implications” for the US and other allies.

Last week, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink was part of a high-level US delegation to the Pacific country.

He said the US team, which included Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council’s coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for a 90-minute “constructive and candid” meeting in which the US team expressed concerns about the recently signed security agreement with China.

“We wanted to lay forth for our Solomons friends what our worries are,” Kritenbrink added. “Prime Minister Sogavare stated that the accord reached by the Solomon Islands had only local ramifications. However, we’ve made it clear that the pact might have regional security ramifications, not only for ourselves, but for friends and partners around the region.”

On Tuesday, Kritenbrink reaffirmed the US’ preparedness to intervene in the region if China establishes a military facility.

“Of course, we respect the sovereignty of the Solomon Islands,” he said, “but we also wanted to let them know that if steps were taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power projection capabilities, or a military installation, we would have serious concerns, and we would respond appropriately.”

“Look, I’m not going to guess, and I’m not in a position to talk about what the United States may or may not do in such a case,” he responded when asked what that reaction may include.

The language of the security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands remains kept secret, despite calls from Solomon Islands MPs for the prime minister to make it public.

“I believe it is apparent that this agreement has only been observed by a few persons in a very narrow group.” “And the prime minister has been cited publicly as stating he would only reveal the specifics with China’s approval, which I think is also a matter of concern,” Kritenbrink added.

Last month, however, a copy of the agreement was released on social media, including terms allowing China to “perform ship visits to, conduct out logistical replenishment at, and have stopover and transition in the Solomon Islands.”

“The United States of America is not in the business of pushing countries to pick between the US and China or anybody else,” Kritenbrink added. However, it is interested in supporting “a proactive vision for common interests and ideas that we feel are crucial to all of our friends across the area,” according to the statement.

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