THE cooperation in security and other fields between China and Solomon Islands conforms to international law and norms and is conducive to regional stability and development.
This was the statement from the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Honiara in Sunday following allegations of potential regional security implications of the agreement, including for the United States and its allies and partners.
The statement said China object to any third party’s intention to interfere with security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands as sovereign states.
“In accordance with the principles of on equal footing, mutual respect and non-interference into each other’s internal affairs, the cooperation in security and other fields between China and Solomon Islands conforms to international law and norms and is conducive to regional stability and development.
“Both China and Solomon Islands have repeatedly emphasized that reports on so-called Chinese military base in Solomon Islands are misinformation fabricated by those people with ulterior motives,” the statement said.
It said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Solomon Islands, the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields have yielded fruitful results and been warmly welcomed by the two peoples.
“Any attempt to inflame the situation, provoke tensions and stir up confrontation in the Pacific Island region does not serve common interests of regional countries and is doomed to fail,” the statement said.
The PRC statement came after a high-level U.S. delegation visited Solomon Islands to discuss with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare the recently signed China-Solomon Islands security agreement.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday said Mr Sogavare met with the US delegation on Friday afternoon and had emphasized that contrary to misinformation promoted by anti-government critics, the Solomon Islands – China Security Cooperation is not about China establishing a military base in Solomon Islands.
Mr Sogavare told the visiting US delegation that it is about supporting the state to address its internal hard and soft security threats.
“It is not directed at any external security interest,” Mr Sogavare said.
