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Western Pressure Grows On Solomon Islands To Abandon Their Security Pact With China

Australia's north could soon be encircled by Chinese military forces as Beijing carries out a secret campaign to wield influence over small South Pacific nations, muscling in their seaports and eyeing off strategic patches of land  

AFP: Australia asks Solomon Islands to not sign China security pact 

Australia on Wednesday asked Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to not sign a controversial security pact with China. 

A leaked draft of the security agreement sent shockwaves across the region last month -- particularly measures that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands. 

This pressed on long-held fears in the United States and its allies about the potential of China building a naval base in the South Pacific, which would allow Beijing to project its naval power far beyond its borders.  

Read more .... 

Western Pressure Grows On Solomon Islands To Abandon Their Security Pact With China  

Western pressure mounts on Solomons to quash pact with China -- AP  

Australia-China relations: Solomon Islands faces pressure over security pact as US weighs in, Scott Morrison sends minister amid election campaign -- SCMP  

Federated States of Micronesia calls on Solomon Islands to reconsider security treaty with China -- ABC News Australia



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