'Great concern' over China-Solomon Islands deal: Australian PM Scott Morrison
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
AustraliaPrime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday there was "great concern" across the Pacific after the Solomon Islands confirmed it was creating a security partnership withChina.
The Pacific island nation on Friday said it was expanding ties withChinato combat security threats and ensure a safe environment for investment as it diversifies security relations.
A potentialChinasecurity pact withSolomonIsland has sparked concerns among USalliesAustraliaand New Zealand about Chinese influence a region where they have for decades held strong sway.
Asked by reporters in Sydney about the matter, Morrison said "there is great concern across the Pacific family because we are in constant contact with our Pacific family".
"I will be in further discussions with leadersoverthe course of this weekend, there was a meeting yesterday with our head of mission and Prime Minister (Manasseh) Sogavare," he said.
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Morrison said Sogavare on Friday indicated to Canberra that he appreciatedAustralia's ongoing support for the SolomonIslands.
"We are theSolomonIslands' single largest development partner, daylight second, third, fourth," Morrison said.
Australiahas previously expressed concern about the impact on regional security of military cooperation betweenChinaand the SolomonIslandsafter a draft document outlining the proposed cooperation was leaked this week.
Also read |Unsettling influences: Australia reacts sharply to Chinese military moves in Solomon Islands
On Thursday, aSolomonIslandsofficial told Reuters a securitydealwithChinacovering the military would be sent to its cabinet for consideration. TheSolomons has already signed a policingdealwithChina.
SolomonIslands, a small island nation around 2,000 km (1,240 miles) northeast ofAustralia, switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019, signallingChina's growing influence in the Pacific.
Washington last month said it would open an embassy in nation's the capital Honiara amid fearsChinawas seeking to strengthen military relations there.
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