China-Solomons pact ‘does not target third party’ but Australia unconvinced

The security pact between China and the Solomon Islands will become both a key foothold and a new obstacle in Beijing’s push to expand its presence in the South Pacific, according to analysts. A draft version of the security deal, which was initiated by representatives of both sides according to the Solomon Islands government, was signed by China and the Solomons on Thursday. The Solomon Islands is a nation across an archipelago in the southwest Pacific Ocean, around 2,000km (1,240 miles)…

Source: SCMP