“China may,according to its own needs and with the consent of Solomon Islands,make ship visits to,carry out logistical replenishment in and have stopover and transition in the Solomon Islands,” the draft framework agreement states.
“Solomon Islands may,according to its own needs,request China to send police,armed police,military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces to Solomon Islands to assist in maintaining social order,protecting people’s lives and property.”
The draft,released online on Thursday afternoon and verified by the Australian government,is a sharp escalation in the relationship between the two governments after protests,riots and lootinggripped the island nation in November.
The conflict was driven by COVID-19 measures,ethnic tensions and regional tensions between Honiara,the capital,and its most populous province,Malaita,but it was also linked to allegations of corruption involving Chinese infrastructure deals and Honiara’s decision to switch its diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China.
The draft states Beijing and Honiara will enter into the agreement with the view of “strengthening security co-operation,mutual respect for sovereignty,equality and mutual benefit”.
Anna Powles,a senior lecturer in international security and a Pacific diplomacy expert at New Zealand’s Massey University,said the draft agreement was “very significant”.