Satellite images showed Chinese missiles striking a replica of Taiwan's key naval base in the northeast. Is China preparing for war? What is the alliance of democracies doing in response? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: China blows up replica of Taiwan's naval base

China and the Solomon Islands have signed a wide-ranging security pact that will allow the Chinese naval to have its presence in the South Pacific—a move that is being viewed with caution by US, Australia and New Zealand.

While briefing the reporters in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, "The foreign ministers of China and the Solomon Islands officially signed the framework agreement on security cooperation recently."

He did not elaborate further on when or where the deal was signed.

According to a draft version of the agreement that was leaked last month, China will be allowed to station their naval and security troops in the Pacific, less than 2,000km off Australia’s coast.

The leaked document says the Solomon Islands, which lies east of Papua New Guinea, could “request China to send police, armed and military personnel and other law enforcement agencies” to the country.

It could also send warships to the islands for stopovers and to replenish supplies, leading to speculation about the possibility of China establishing a naval base on the islands.

The sudden announcement comes a day after the US announced that it would be sending two top officials to the archipelago.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-solomon-islands-finalising-pact-to-establish-military-presence-at-australias-backyard-report-465232">&nbsp;China, Solomon Islands finalising pact to establish military presence at ‘Australia’s backyard’: Report</a>

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the agreement could destabilise the Solomon Islands and would set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific region.

"Despite the Solomon Islands government's comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of PRC (People's Republic of China) military forces to the Solomon Islands," Price said.

The signing of the pact comes in the wake of protests that broke out in 2021 after Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and switch sides with China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/solomon-islands-riots-whats-behind-the-protests-431839">Solomon islands riots: What’s behind the protests?</a>

More than 200 peacekeepers were deployed from Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand&nbsp;to restore calm.

China donated anti-riot gear and offered to send police advisors to help quell the riots.

(With inputs from agencies)

China and the Solomon Islands have signed a wide-ranging security pact that will allow the Chinese naval to have its presence in the South Pacific—a move that is being viewed with caution by US, Australia and New Zealand.

China and the Solomon Islands have signed a wide-ranging security pact that will allow the Chinese naval to have its presence in the South Pacific—a move that is being viewed with caution by US, Australia and New Zealand. While briefing the reporters in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, "The foreign ministers of China and the Solomon Islands officially signed the framework agreement on security cooperation recently." He did not elaborate further on when or where the deal was signed. According to a draft version of the agreement that was leaked last month, China will be allowed to station their naval and security troops in the Pacific, less than 2,000km off Australia’s coast. The leaked document says the Solomon Islands, which lies east of Papua New Guinea, could “request China to send police, armed and military personnel and other law enforcement agencies” to the country. It could also send warships to the islands for stopovers and to replenish supplies, leading to speculation about the possibility of China establishing a naval base on the islands. The sudden announcement comes a day after the US announced that it would be sending two top officials to the archipelago. Also read | China, Solomon Islands finalising pact to establish military presence at ‘Australia’s backyard’: Report US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the agreement could destabilise the Solomon Islands and would set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific region. "Despite the Solomon Islands government's comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of PRC (People's Republic of China) military forces to the Solomon Islands," Price said. The signing of the pact comes in the wake of protests that broke out in 2021 after Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and switch sides with China. Also read | Solomon islands riots: What’s behind the protests? More than 200 peacekeepers were deployed from Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand to restore calm. China donated anti-riot gear and offered to send police advisors to help quell the riots. (With inputs from agencies)

China and Solomon Islands ink controversial security pact

The US has urged Cambodia to be transparent after it confirmed construction activity at its Ream Naval base funded by China.

China is funding construction work at Cambodia's Ream Naval base

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday opened&nbsp;a strategic naval base on the Mediterranean Sea to "secure shipping lines", the presidency said.

"It is the latest Egyptian military base on the Mediterranean, and will be focused on securing the country's northern and western front," the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

The ceremony was attended by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sisi-marks-first-iraq-visit-by-an-egyptian-leader-in-decades-394312">Sisi marks first Iraq visit by an Egyptian leader in decades</a>

The base lies some 255 kilometres (160 miles) west of Alexandria, towards the border with Libya, a country where both Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have played a key military role.

State-run newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm reported that the base includes an airstrip and a 1,000-metre (3,280-foot) long pier.

The opening coincided with the eighth anniversary since Sisi led the military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday opened a strategic naval base on the Mediterranean Sea to "secure shipping lines", the presidency said. "It is the latest Egyptian military base on the Mediterranean, and will be focused on securing the country's northern and western front," the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday opened a strategic naval base on the Mediterranean Sea to "secure shipping lines", the presidency said. "It is the latest Egyptian military base on the Mediterranean, and will be focused on securing the country's northern and western front," the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. The ceremony was attended by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Also read | Sisi marks first Iraq visit by an Egyptian leader in decades The base lies some 255 kilometres (160 miles) west of Alexandria, towards the border with Libya, a country where both Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have played a key military role. State-run newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm reported that the base includes an airstrip and a 1,000-metre (3,280-foot) long pier. The opening coincided with the eighth anniversary since Sisi led the military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Egypt opens strategic Mediterranean naval base

The Pentagon announced today that it would enforce new restrictions on international military students in terms of access to guns on United States bases.

This news came in after a Saudi officer killed three American sailors at a naval base in Florida last month. 
 
"Getting back to work does not mean getting back to business as usual. Going forward we will put several new policies and security procedures in place," Garry Reid, a senior Pentagon intelligence official, said in a statement.

<h6><img alt="naval" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2dafe4ee-d01a-459e-b8be-40b7c0c721bc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_18.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;This handout photo released on December 7, 2019 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shows FBI Evidence Response Team after a shooting incident at a naval base in Pensacola, Florida on December 6, 2019 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Besides the three sailors who were killed, eight others were injured in the attack at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. The gunman, Saudi Air Force Second Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani was later shot dead by a deputy sheriff.

In the aftermath of the attack, the US retaliated by grounding all Saudi pilots and restricting the 850 Saudi military personnel by limiting them to classroom training as part of a ''safety stand-down''. New vetting procedures may also show up.

<h6><img alt="Pensacola" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f74135e4-4463-431b-bc6b-681f78a7b572" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_35.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;Traffic on and off base is restricted after a member of the Saudi Air Force visiting the United States for military training was the suspect in a shooting at Naval Air Station&nbsp;Pensacola, in&nbsp;Pensacola, Florida, US&nbsp;December 6, 2019 | Reuters 
 
Reid further added that normal functioning and training across military departments would resume soon once new procedures are put in place.&nbsp;</h6>

The US Defence Secretary Mark Esper will visit the base in Pensacola in Florida next week. Esper is expected to brief the base leadership.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The Pentagon announced today that it would enforce new restrictions on international military students in terms of access to guns on United States bases. This news came in after a Saudi officer killed three American sailors at a naval base in Florida last month.

The Pentagon announced today that it would enforce new restrictions on international military students in terms of access to guns on United States bases. This news came in after a Saudi officer killed three American sailors at a naval base in Florida last month. "Getting back to work does not mean getting back to business as usual. Going forward we will put several new policies and security procedures in place," Garry Reid, a senior Pentagon intelligence official, said in a statement. Image: This handout photo released on December 7, 2019 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shows FBI Evidence Response Team after a shooting incident at a naval base in Pensacola, Florida on December 6, 2019 | AFP Besides the three sailors who were killed, eight others were injured in the attack at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. The gunman, Saudi Air Force Second Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani was later shot dead by a deputy sheriff. In the aftermath of the attack, the US retaliated by grounding all Saudi pilots and restricting the 850 Saudi military personnel by limiting them to classroom training as part of a ''safety stand-down''. New vetting procedures may also show up. Image: Traffic on and off base is restricted after a member of the Saudi Air Force visiting the United States for military training was the suspect in a shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola, in Pensacola, Florida, US December 6, 2019 | Reuters Reid further added that normal functioning and training across military departments would resume soon once new procedures are put in place. The US Defence Secretary Mark Esper will visit the base in Pensacola in Florida next week. Esper is expected to brief the base leadership. (With inputs from Reuters)

Pentagon restricts access to guns for foreign trainees

A shooter, who was reported on Friday at Florida's Naval Air Station Pensacola, was shot dead by the authorities, news agency AFP reported.

"Confirm there is no longer an active shooter on NAS Pensacola. The shooter is confirmed dead,"&nbsp;Escambia County Sheriff's Office tweeted out.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to reports, several people have been injured while the Navy confirmed two people have been killed.

"Unknown number of injured people being transferred to local hospitals." &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
*** Alert *** 
 
Both gates of NASP are currently secured due to reports of an active shooter. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
— NAS Pensacola (@NASPCOLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASPCOLA/status/1202946067324719104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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In a statement released on its social page, the naval base had earlier stated that, "both gates of NASP are currently secured due to reports of an active shooter. More information will be provided as it becomes available".

The incident comes after a US sailor fatally shot two people and wounded a third at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hawaii-two-killed-one-injured-in-pearl-harbour-shooting-266308">Pearl Harbour Naval Shipyard in Hawaii</a> on Wednesday before committing suicide.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: A second victim has been confirmed deceased.
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/USNavy/status/1202960909867589632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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The two people killed were Department of Defence civilian employees, while a third civilian was wounded but "in stable condition at (an) area hospital," an official said.

A spokeswoman for the Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam confirmed that a shooting had taken place.

Indian Air Force officials on Thursday said that Air Chief Marshal RKS <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hawaii-shooting-iaf-chief-present-in-pearl-habour-base-amidst-shooting-all-iaf-members-safe-266410">Bhadauria was attending a conference</a> at the historic military base Pearl Harbour near Hawai in America when it was put under lock-down as authorities were responding to a shooting incident.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A shooter, who was reported on Friday at Florida's Naval Air Station Pensacola, was shot dead by the authorities, news agency AFP reported. "Confirm there is no longer an active shooter on NAS Pensacola.

A shooter, who was reported on Friday at Florida's Naval Air Station Pensacola, was shot dead by the authorities, news agency AFP reported. "Confirm there is no longer an active shooter on NAS Pensacola. The shooter is confirmed dead," Escambia County Sheriff's Office tweeted out. According to reports, several people have been injured while the Navy confirmed two people have been killed. "Unknown number of injured people being transferred to local hospitals." *** Alert *** Both gates of NASP are currently secured due to reports of an active shooter. More information will be provided as it becomes available. — NAS Pensacola (@NASPCOLA) December 6, 2019 × In a statement released on its social page, the naval base had earlier stated that, "both gates of NASP are currently secured due to reports of an active shooter. More information will be provided as it becomes available". The incident comes after a US sailor fatally shot two people and wounded a third at the Pearl Harbour Naval Shipyard in Hawaii on Wednesday before committing suicide. #UPDATE: A second victim has been confirmed deceased. — U.S. Navy (@USNavy) December 6, 2019 × The two people killed were Department of Defence civilian employees, while a third civilian was wounded but "in stable condition at (an) area hospital," an official said. A spokeswoman for the Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam confirmed that a shooting had taken place. Indian Air Force officials on Thursday said that Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria was attending a conference at the historic military base Pearl Harbour near Hawai in America when it was put under lock-down as authorities were responding to a shooting incident. (With inputs from agencies)

Shooter at Florida's US naval base shot dead; two killed: Officials

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