Foreign Minister Penny Wong has met with the Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare, the first visit to Honiara by the new Australian government amid concern over its Pacific neighbour’s security pact with China.
Wong said that Sogavare gave her his assurance that there will “not be a military base nor a persistent foreign military presence” in the Solomons.
Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States have said they are concerned Beijing could establish a military presence in the Pacific, although Sogavare has denied the pact with China would allow a military base, and will instead focus on policing.
