Australian neighbour to review infamous China pact in win for Canberra
Australia and the Solomon Islands have agreed to engage in treaty talks as the Pacific neighbour vows to review its security agreement with China in what could be a major geopolitical victory for Canberra in the Pacific.
The then Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare moved towards China, cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2019 and then signing a security pact with Beijing in 2022, which triggered concerns in Canberra about the potential for a Chinese military base in a close neighbour.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra. Anthony Albanese/X
Today, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale boosted the strained relationship with Australia on his first international visit since being elected just last month.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the pair have agreed to negotiate a new treaty to “confront global and regional challenges as partners” and affirmed Australia’s position as the “security partner of choice” for Honiara.
“Today, we’re committed to elevate our bilateral relationship at the request of the Solomon Islands,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
“This will be agreed in a new comprehensive treaty underpinned by mutual trust, respect, and open dialogue.”
Australian Federal Police will also strengthen their cooperation with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force under the agreement.
Wale – who has previously criticised the Solomons’ relationship with China, but has also called out Australia for focusing solely on geopolitical interests – said he has sought a “reset” in the relationship with Canberra.
“The Solomon Islands is Australia’s friend. Has always been and always will be,” he said.
“We have had some issues, and all relationships go through issues once here and there, but the resilience of our relationship is self-evident.
“We thank the honourable prime minister that we’re able to elevate our relationship to a comprehensive strategic one, where both sides will benefit by having trust in each other’s decision-making, and that will be good also for the region.”
Australia and the Solomon Islands have had a bilateral security agreement since 2017.
The Solomon Islands is just 2000km away from Australia. AP
Australia is also the country’s largest aid donor.
The government has been seeking to improve relations with its neighbour since it ditched its ties with Taiwan and signed the security pact with China in 2022.
Wale added he has briefly read the secretive pact and will review it in due course. He did not answer whether he would make that document public, citing a non-disclosure clause.
Albanese said he would respect Wale’s decision.
The Solomon Islands is located just 2000km north-east of Australia and a pillar in China’s campaign to expand its presence in the Pacific.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has previously described the contest with China as “permanent”.
“China will continue trying to reshape the region according to its own interests,” she said at a gala in November.
“With so much activity and contest, things may not go Australia’s way every time but we will keep pressing our national interest in the contest every day.
“We do that bilaterally, including with our upgraded ties around the region, but also through regionalism.”
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
