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According to Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Colin Beck, criticism over the Chinese security deal is mistaken. Some sources say the US fueled the protests as it did not want China's foothold in the Pacific.
The Chinese security deal said the US and its allies could not disparage the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister because they have no mandate. The government's right to decide what to reveal about the agreement and the speculation of Washington and Canberra will not pressure them to decide for the country.
Solomon Islands Prefer China
The deal with China offers more for requirements of domestic security, development, and dealing with climate change that Washington and Canberra don't want to acknowledge, said Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Collin Beck, reported Sputnik News.
Beck mentioned the population increase is a national problem, prompting protests a year ago that got violent and caused by unemployment and frustration over government policies.
The foreign affairs secretary highlighted the country's climate change obstacles, such as sinking due to rising water levels. Arguing its impact on the economy, tourism, and other aspects of life and that the country needs a reliable partner, cited Worldakkam.
West Interfere in Local Politics of Smaller Nations
Beck is against foreign interference in its affairs with China, particularly Australia, and its biased reaction to the internal affairs of the island nation.
He stressed that security deals are typical but not when it's with Beijing, and Australia is part of the Quad group and the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. The nations involved are Australia, India, Japan, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK, who are part of both organizations.
Beck added Australia can align with the US and western countries but raises a ruckus over a deal with China; furthermore, the pacific is free, not a backyard of the US or its mouthpieces.
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To ally fears, the security agreement with Beijing will not be used unless needed. The islands will not be a base for military assets was mentioned, noted the Diplomat.
According to the official, only the Solomon Islands and China decide whether or not to divulge the deal, and not US and Australia.
Draft of Beijing-Honiara Security Deal Leaks
A rumored draft of the agreement allows the Solomon Islands to ask Beijing to send police, armed police, military personnel, and other law enforcement to the islands to safeguard social order, citizens' lives, and property safety.
The US and its allies do not want Beijing to send Chinese military ships to ports for logistical resupply and stopovers when they visit. Beijing just ignored Canberra, which seems hypocritical over its concerns.
Wang Wenbin, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, recounted that Australia recently signed the AUKUS security pact, which created a risk of nuclear conflict in the region.
The Chinese official tersely told the US ally that the Solomon Islands is a free nation not subject to the hegemony of America. No one can bully the small country on what to decide, as seems to be the case.
Signing the Chinese security deal remarked by Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Beck is their prerogative. The blatant interference of the US and Australia is against principles of democracy, or the west applies a double standard to states not pliant to its will.
Related Article: China Calls Out the US, New Zealand for Criticism Over Recent Activity in the Pacific Region
