The deal would potentially put Chinese forces within striking distance of Australia. 9News
The draft security co-operation agreement, which the Australian government has acknowledged, was shared on social media on Thursday and proposes giving China the right to use its forces to "protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in Solomon Islands".
That would potentially put Chinese forces within striking distance at a time when tensions over trade, diplomacy and China's increasing militarisation of islands in the South China Sea have been increasing.Australia sent Federal Police officers to the countryAsked about the document, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told 9News.com.au it "would be concerned by any actions that destabilise the security of our region".
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews sidestepped questions about the document but said Australia had always done all it could to help the Solomon Islands."The Morrison government has been very clear on its position in relation to China in relation to the Pacific region," she said, on Thursday afternoon.
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