Australia and the United States are stepping up diplomatic pressure on the Solomon Islands over a security deal with China which could lead to Beijing establishing a military presence there.
Australia’s minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja travelled to the South Pacific Island nation urging Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare not to sign the pact.
Solomon Islands Opposition policy advisor Joel Fangalasuu says he believes the deal is “being driven by the prime minister” as a way to solidify his power. “We do think it is being driven by the prime minister considering all the issues that are associated with this military deal and the reasons why it should not happen in light of national issues,” he told Sky News Australia.
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