New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Solomon Islands-China deal 'gravely concerning'

NewZealand is gravely concerned about the possible militarization of the Pacific following a decision by theSolomonIslandsgovernment to form a security partnership withChina, Prime Minister JacindaArdernsaid on Monday.

Confirmation on Friday by theSolomonIslandsgovernment that it was "diversifying" its security relationships beyond Australia has prompted alarm in Australia,NewZealand and the United States.

"We see such acts as a potential militarization of the region and also see very little reason in terms of the Pacific security for such a need and such a presence,"Arderntold Radio NZ when asked if it would be acceptable forChinato station its military vessels in the Pacific country.

"We do see this as gravely concerning."

SolomonIslandsopposition leader Matthew Wale said in an interview with ABC television he was disappointed Australia had not acted to stop adealwithChina, after he warned Australia's high commissioner, or ambassador, last year.

High Commissioner Lachlan Strahan responded on Monday, writing on Twitter: "Australia has raised its concerns with (theSolomons) about the proposedSolomons-Chinasecurity cooperation agreement regularly and respectfully".

The "Pacific family" was best placed to provide security assistance to theSolomonIslands, he added, with Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne quickly "liking" the tweet.

Washington has also expressed concern aboutChinaforming a military relationship, with U.S. officials citing this in February as a reason to re-open a U.S. embassy in Honiara, the capital of theSolomons.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters he would speak with his counterparts in PapuaNewGuinea and Fiji about the matter on Monday.

"This is an issue of concern for the region, but it has not come as a surprise," he said.

The Pacific Island nation of fewer than a million people, 2,000 km (1,240 miles) northeast of Australia, switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019, signallingChina's growing influence in the Pacific.

Its principal island is Guadalcanal, the scene of bitter fighting between U.S. and Japanese forces in 1942-43.

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