CHINA-SOLOMONS DEAL

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Context

• Recently, China and Solomon Islands signed a security deal. As part of the deal, the islands can offer Chinese naval vessels a safe harbour just 2,000 km from Australia.
• The island nation assures of not intending to allow China to build a military base as concerns raised by the United States.

Why is China’s security deal raining worries?

• First it is prudent to point out that the islands are a key World War II battlefront that it recognised China only in 2019 after switching from ties with Taiwan.
• In November protesters tried to storm the parliament and went on a deadly three-day rampage, torching much of the capital's Chinatown area. The targeting of the Chinese may have prompted Beijing's intervention.
• The pact is being seen as a major shift in local geopolitics since it gives China direct access to the South Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand.
• According to the United States-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, concerns are not just over the 'deployment of police, armed police, military personnel…' but also the vaguely worded language.
• There are also fears it could fall into Beijing's debt trap amid promises to funnel billions in mega infrastructure projects by Chinese firms.
• Finally, the Solomon Islands also sits on critical shipping routes, meaning China could potentially control maritime traffic in and around the region.

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