He is “very probable” that China is sending troops to the Solomon Islands, after signing a controversial security agreement with this Pacific nation, said the Australian Minister of the Interior on Wednesday April 27. The Solomon Islands and Beijing announced last Tuesday the signing of a fuzzy security pact which has revived fears in the United States, but also in Australia, neighboring the archipelago, in the face of potential Chinese military ambitions in the Peaceful.
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Asked if it was realistic for China to ask to send troops to the Solomon Islands within the next year, Home Secretary Karen Andrews told 4BC radio that it was. “very probable”. “It is likely that this will be the path that China will take in the Pacific region”she said.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has repeatedly said that no Chinese military bases will be built in his country, but he has not released the final version of the agreement. A leaked draft version of the deal last month sent shockwaves through Australia and the United States as it included proposals allowing Chinese police and naval deployments to the Solomons.
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“Beijing is clearly very aware that we are in the middle of the federal election campaign here at the moment”continued Karen Andrews. “We talk about political interference and it takes many forms”.
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