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.
