China, Solomon Islands ink inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation

Speaking to reporters about the deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said: "As approved by the governments of China and Solomon Islands, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele, on behalf of the governments of China and Solomon Islands respectively, officially signed the inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation between the two countries the other day."

He said China-Solomon Islands security cooperation aims at promoting social stability and long-term tranquility in Solomon Islands, which conforms to the common interests of Solomon Islands and the South Pacific region. 

The Chinese MFA spokesman said: "China stands ready to work with relevant countries to leverage respective strengths to form international synergy."

The United States Defence Department had earlier expressed concern over the security pact between China and the Solomon Islands and said it leaves the door open for deployment of Chinese military forces to the Pacific nation.

“We believe that signing such an agreement could actually increase destabilisation within the Solomon Islands and could set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a press conference as quoted by The South China Morning Post.

“Obviously we are concerned about this,” he added.