Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to New Zealand and Solomon Islands this week to discuss climate change and regional security, in her third visit to the Pacific since being sworn in last month.
Australia said it was committed to deepening cooperation with the Solomon Islands on shared challenges including climate change, and Senator Wong would meet with Mr Sogavare, the statement said.
The Solomon Islands security pact, as well as a proposal by China for a sweeping security and trade agreement with 10 Pacific islands nations, will be discussed at next month's Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Suva, several island nations have said. "China supports Pacific Island countries in strengthening security cooperation and working together to address regional security challenges," he said during the visit.
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