Why China really signed a security pact with Solomon Islands, and what it means for Australia

There's a growing war of words in the Pacific, with Labor and the Coalition trading new barbs over China's security agreement with the Solomon Islands. Labor today seeking to capitalise on the crisis by unveiling a plan to strengthen ties. auspol 7NEWS

Both China and the Solomons have denied there are plans for China to build a military base, Malcolm Davis from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says he does not believe them.

Davis said he believes China’s goal for the agreement is to “extend its presence into the southwest Pacific to create a bubble of influence”.“Thirdly, it seeks to be able to have a presence whereby it can monitor an act in the Coral Sea and project power close to Australia’s eastern seaboard,” he said.Davis said Australia should continue to strengthen its alliance with the US and also strengthen its own defence capabilities in the next term of government.

“One of the things you don’t do in the Pacific is you don’t throw your weight around. They’re a sovereign country and we have to respect their sovereignty.” But Morrison says “you can’t always be fully persuasive on these issues”, outlining his respect for the nation’s sovereignty.

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