China Security Pact Spurs Jibes Between Australia, Solomons
- Morrison suggests Sogavare is parroting rhetoric of Beijing
- Ties frayed amid concerns over China’s growing Pacific clout
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison suggested his Solomon Islands counterpart is increasingly influenced by Beijing, as relations between the two countries continue to slide after the Pacific nation signed a security agreement with China.
Australia and the U.S. have both voiced concerns at the treaty, which represents a diplomatic victory for China in the region. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has repeatedly denied the pact would allow China to set up a military base and on Friday accused Australia of hypocrisy for keeping its own recent security deal with the U.K. and U.S. secret.