Beijing on Tuesday announced the signing of a controversial security deal with the Solomon Islands.
The United States warned the Solomon Islands it would retaliate”Thereafter“If China Installed One”permanent military presencein the Pacific archipelago after signing a controversial security deal, the White House reported on Friday, April 22.
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A high-level US delegation visiting the Solomon Islands explained to the island’s leaders that if Beijing moved to “the establishment of a de facto permanent military presence“, this would cause”serious concerns” in the United States that “will respond accordinglythe US presidency said in a statement.
Threat of Chinese deployment
This also applies when carrying out any “military facility” or “power projection capabilitiesthat would allow for a Chinese deployment in the region, she said. Envoys from the White House and the US State Department traveled to the Solomon Islands on Friday to meet Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. While Washington wanted to convince the archipelago not to sign an agreement with Beijing, they seem surprised on Tuesday by the formalization of this rapprochement.
†Monitoring” by “developments†
†In response to the concerns expressed, Prime Minister Sogavare reiterated his assurances, specifically guaranteeing that there will be no military base, no sustained presence and no power-projection capabilities.the US presidency explained.
†The United States emphasized that it would closely monitor developments in consultation with its regional partners.The US delegation also urged the “possible consequences for regional security», dispute, during «substantial discussions†the purpose, scope and transparency of the agreementBut the Americans also assured:respect the law“to take from the Solomons”their sovereign decisions», and tried to court the islands by multiplying the gestures towards them.
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Among them are the acceleration of the opening of a US embassy, the strengthening of cooperation on unexploded mines, the shipment of a hospital ship for public health aid or the delivery of additional vaccines. † The two countries have also committed to a “high-level strategic dialoguewhich will focus in particular on the sensitive issue of security.
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