Australia, New Zealand worried by China deal with Solomons

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Australia, New Zealand worried by China deal with Solomons

The Australian and New Zealand prime ministers on Monday (Mar 28) voiced concerns about the potential for a Chinese military presence on the Solomon Islands.

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A document leaked last week indicates that China could boost its military presence in the South Pacific island nation, including with ship visits.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had spoken to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over the weekend about the development and planned to speak to his counterparts in Papua New Guinea and Fiji later on Monday.

"The reports that we've seen are not a surprise to us and are a reminder of the constant pressure and threats that present in our region to our own national security," Morrison told reporters.

"This is an issue of concern for the region but it has not come as a surprise. We have been long aware of these pressures," he added.

Ardern described the possibility of Chinese military forces stationed on the Solomons as "gravely concerning".

"We see such acts as the potential militarisation of the region," she told Radio NZ.

"We see very little reason in terms of the Pacific security for such a need and such a presence," she added.

Ardern urged Solomons' leaders "not to look beyond our own Pacific family" when considering the country's security relationships.