China's security deal with Solomons raises alarm in Pacific

[TexasTowelie]

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND -- A security alliance between China and the Solomon Islands has sent shudders throughout the South Pacific, with many worried it could set off a large-scale military buildup or that Western animosity to the deal could play into China’s hands.

What remains most unclear is the extent of China’s ambitions.

A Chinese military presence in the Solomons would put it not only on the doorstep of Australia and New Zealand but also in close proximity to Guam, with its massive U.S. military bases.

China so far operates just one acknowledged foreign military base, in the impoverished but strategically important Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. Many believe that China’s People’s Liberation Army is busy establishing an overseas military network, even if they don’t use the term “base.”

The Solomon Islands government says a draft of its agreement with China was initialed last week and will be “cleaned up” and signed soon.

Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article260189800.html

[Sherman A1]

1. Yes, it does indeed

[Irish_Dem]

2. We know the extent of China's ambitions.

Beijing has been clear that it wants to be a global superpower.

But first it must be a regional power, have control over the Pacific region.

[dutch777]

3. Wonder if money was the motivator or feeling ignored by the West or ???

These isolated "bases", if they become that, are more symbolic than militarily important. Generally military vessels in peacetime can dock and replenish at civilian facilities in many countries that can accommodate that size of vessel anyway. And in time of conflict, conventionally armed cruise missiles can make the critical parts of any base infrastructure rubble in the first 24 hours.