Australia Asks Solomon Islands to Abandon China Security Pact
ADELAIDE, Australia—Australia made an 11th-hour attempt to scupper a planned security agreement between the Solomon Islands and China, urging the archipelago nation to lean on Pacific neighbors for its security needs.
On Wednesday, Australian Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja met with Solomon Islands officials, including Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in the capital Honiara to request that they not proceed with a deal that could allow China to dock warships there. Two of Australia’s top intelligence officials met with Mr. Sogavare in Honiara last week.
