Posted on 04/23/2022 12:58:32 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19
S officials visiting the strategic Solomon Islands on Friday warned of serious repercussions if China were to establish a permanent military presence there after the Pacific nation signed a defence pact with Beijing.
A White House delegation in the capital Honiara delivered the stern warning on the same day that China's ambassador attended an event with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare -- a sign of the importance both nations are according to the small island state.
The United States and Australia -- the Pacific nation's traditional allies -- are deeply suspicious of the defence deal, fearing it may give China a military foothold in the South Pacific.
The White House said the officials had told Sogavare that the recently signed pact has "potential regional security implications" for Washington and its allies.
"If steps are taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power-projection capabilities, or a military installation, the delegation noted that the United States would then have significant concerns and respond accordingly," the White House said in a statement.
National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink led the delegation, which also included Pentagon officials.
According to the White House statement, "Sogavare reiterated his specific assurances that there would be no military base, no long-term presence, and no power projection capability, as he has said publicly."
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
I Think some strongly-worded sweet nothings should be whispered through diplomatic channels.
The low IQ, fish eating retards have asked the Chinese there.
The Chinese are really afraid! NOT!!
Australia ought to be the most p*ssed about this.
I’m sure Xi is shaking in his boots.
Wait, but I thought a nation could choose who to ally with, and nobody else gets a say? Now we are threatening a nation that does that?
No 💩 Sherlocks.🙄
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