Australia and the U.S. recently considered statements by the president of the Federated States of Micronesia urging the Solomon Islands to reconsider the Chinese Alliance.
“China has seized opportunities to expand its influence at a time when the U.S. and other countries have not been as engaged economically in the Pacific islands,” Elizabeth Wishnick, an expert on Chinese foreign policy at Montclair State University in New Jersey, told the Associated Press.
The talks between Solomon Islands and China, executed in hopes of reaching a security alliance, have cemented concern about the potential increase of Chinese influence over the South Pacific. The U.S. has expressed its worries by sending delegates to the nation.
ABC reported that the U.S. is making an effort to reverse the initiative by sending Kurt Campbell, who serves as the U.S. National Security Council coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, to visit the country this month. He will be joined by Daniel Kritenbrink, a top State Department official. Australia also sounded an alarm over the move, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton saying claims there will not be a military port established in the Solomon Islands was not credible.
"At the moment, they're telling the Solomon Islands government that there won't be a military port in the Solomon Islands," Dutton said, as reported by ABC News. "I doubt that very much, and I don't think it's sincere, and I think it's propaganda that should be called out."
The move could be the first step in establishing a military base that would be strategically relevant and near Guam, Australia and other western-aligned countries.
With many concerns being voiced by David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia, officials have focused on the topic in recent weeks as the two hold talks to reach an agreement, stating that "such a novel and unprecedented security agreement between China and Solomon Islands poses a risk of increasing geopolitical tensions across the Blue Pacific Continent."
Panuelo also drew on examples from World War II, referring back to a time when the island nations of the Pacific saw a great deal of bloodshed after being caught in between warring countries. "I am confident that neither of us wishes to see a conflict of that scope or scale ever again," Panuelo wrote.
While the reason for China's push for this agreement remains unclear, it has ratcheted up the concern of Chinese influence expanding in the South Pacific, a leaked draft of the agreement shows Chinese warships being able to use the country for replenishment and that the Chinese could send armed forces to Solomon Islands to assist with maintaining order.
The Solomon Islands, which neighbor Australia, changed the country's diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, a move that resulted in riots in the nation.
According to the Associated Press, Chinese infrastructure lending in countries like Sri Lanka have led to them seizing control of facilities, including some ports. Both parties say they hope to reach a conclusion soon.