Solomon PM told Australia, no Chinese military presence in the country

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Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogaware assured Australia on 7 October that his country would not allow a Chinese military presence in its territory.

Important facts

• The island nation has been at the centre of a diplomatic conflict in the southern Pacific Ocean between the United States, Australia and their allies on the one hand and China on the other.

• Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands struck a security agreement with China, saying it needed Beijing's assistance with its domestic security situation.

• The agreement shook the US and Australia.

• There was concern that the deal could potentially lead to a Chinese military base and power test on the island nation.

• The United States and its regional allies fear that China could open a Chinese naval base, which would significantly increase China's military reach in the South Pacific.

About Solomon Islands

• The Solomon Islands is a nation located in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of more than 990 islands.

• Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

• It does not include the Santa Cruz Islands and the outlying islands such as Rennell and Bellona.

• Its capital is Honiara, which is located on the island of Guadalcanal.