Solomon Islands New PM to Review Secret Security Pact with China; Australia Hopes to Deepen Police Ties
Solomon Islands' new Prime Minister Matthew Wale said he will review a secret security pact signed with China in 2022. Following a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, both sides agreed to deepen police cooperation and pursue a comprehensive new treaty. This move signals Australia's active efforts to counter China's influence in the Pacific region.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 11:49
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(Central News Agency, Canberra, 3rd, Combined Foreign Reports) Solomon Islands' new Prime Minister Matthew Wale said today that he will "review" the secret security pact signed with China in 2022, which had previously raised concerns in Australia and the United States.
According to a report by Agence France-Presse, Wale, speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, was asked about the security pact with China. He said, "We will review it, just as we are reviewing security pacts signed with many other countries."
When asked if he would make the pact with China public, Wale stated that the agreement contains a confidentiality clause and that he himself only saw the document for the first time the day before his visit to Australia.
He said at a press conference, "I had to replace personnel in several key positions. I didn't even have a copy of the agreement until the day before I left (Solomon Islands), so I haven't read its contents in detail."
The Solomon Islands, with a population of 800,000, is located 2,000 kilometers northeast of Australia. Australia is the largest aid donor to this Oceanian country and has historically provided police support during crises.
China, on the other hand, is the Solomon Islands' largest bilateral creditor. The country's debt doubled last year due to loans from Chinese banks for infrastructure projects.
Australia is actively responding to China's influence in the Solomon Islands. After Wale was elected Prime Minister last month on a promise of change, Australia immediately moved to rebuild bilateral ties.
Albanese said today that Australia and the Solomon Islands will work towards a "comprehensive" new treaty and will also deepen police cooperation.
Albanese added that the treaty will be "based on mutual trust, mutual respect, and open dialogue."
The two sides also agreed to restart a major police training agreement. This agreement had stalled under the Solomon Islands' previous pro-China government, which allowed Chinese police to enter villages to collect household and biometric data, promoting a Chinese-style security model.
Australia continues to strengthen ties with several small but strategically important Pacific island nations, including signing treaties with Tuvalu, Nauru, and Papua New Guinea, offering significant economic aid in exchange for these countries imposing restrictions on China in the security domain.
Additionally, Vanuatu and Fiji have indicated they are close to signing similar agreements with Australia.
According to a report by Agence France-Presse, Wale, speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, was asked about the security pact with China. He said, "We will review it, just as we are reviewing security pacts signed with many other countries."
When asked if he would make the pact with China public, Wale stated that the agreement contains a confidentiality clause and that he himself only saw the document for the first time the day before his visit to Australia.
He said at a press conference, "I had to replace personnel in several key positions. I didn't even have a copy of the agreement until the day before I left (Solomon Islands), so I haven't read its contents in detail."
The Solomon Islands, with a population of 800,000, is located 2,000 kilometers northeast of Australia. Australia is the largest aid donor to this Oceanian country and has historically provided police support during crises.
China, on the other hand, is the Solomon Islands' largest bilateral creditor. The country's debt doubled last year due to loans from Chinese banks for infrastructure projects.
Australia is actively responding to China's influence in the Solomon Islands. After Wale was elected Prime Minister last month on a promise of change, Australia immediately moved to rebuild bilateral ties.
Albanese said today that Australia and the Solomon Islands will work towards a "comprehensive" new treaty and will also deepen police cooperation.
Albanese added that the treaty will be "based on mutual trust, mutual respect, and open dialogue."
The two sides also agreed to restart a major police training agreement. This agreement had stalled under the Solomon Islands' previous pro-China government, which allowed Chinese police to enter villages to collect household and biometric data, promoting a Chinese-style security model.
Australia continues to strengthen ties with several small but strategically important Pacific island nations, including signing treaties with Tuvalu, Nauru, and Papua New Guinea, offering significant economic aid in exchange for these countries imposing restrictions on China in the security domain.
Additionally, Vanuatu and Fiji have indicated they are close to signing similar agreements with Australia.