Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has defended the security pact with China revealing in parliament the Pacific nation has received threats of 'invasion' from critics of the deal.
Mr Sogavare has strenuously defended the deal despite Australia and the United States’ strong recommendations against it over fears China could establish a military base in the Solomons giving it a gateway into the Indo-Pacific.
Stream more world news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022.“What is more insulting, Mr Speaker, in this attitude, and therefore totally unacceptable, is we are being treated as kindergarten students walking around with Colt .45s in our hands, and therefore we need to be supervised. We are insulted.”
Tensions between the two leaders have boiled over in the wake of the security deal, with Mr Morrison last week suggesting the AUKUS concerns flagged by the Solomon Islands were"remarkably similar" to China's commentary.
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