Australia: China’s military base in the Solomon Islands is the red line between the United States and Australia.
The Prime Minister of Australia has announced that the construction of a Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands is the red line between Australia and the United States.
The Prime Minister of Australia has announced that the construction of a Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands is the red line between Australia and the United States.
According to the ABC news website, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday that the Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands would be a “red line” for Australia and the United States.
According to the report, there are concerns about the recently signed security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands for Australia and other Pacific countries, especially if China uses the agreement to expand its military presence in the region.
“This is a common concern, not just in Australia, but in regional governments, especially in places like Fiji and Papua New Guinea,” Morrison said. “We will not tolerate Chinese naval bases in our region.”
He said he had assured Suleiman Island Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavar that this would not happen. “He clearly has a stake in our red line,” Morrison said.
The Solomon Islands, which was under British tutelage until 1975, has a population of less than 700,000, and in 2009 severed ties with Taiwan, despite repeated visits by US officials. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and makes diplomatic relations with any country conditional on the severance of its diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands came as the South Pacific country cut ties with Taiwan and began relations with China in 2019.