The Latest Breaking News from Solomon Islands

There is "no military element" in the security cooperation between China and Soloman Islands, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday.

SYDNEY: Amid a regional backlash, the Solomon Islands said on Friday it would not allow a Chinese military base in the Pacific islands nation despite its plans to sign a security pact with Beijing.

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Pacific nation has batted away concerns from Australia, New Zealand and the US, saying its policy is ‘friends to all and enemies to none’

Federated States of Micronesia President David Panuelo writes to his Solomon Islands counterpart over fears his country's new security ties could put the Pacific at the centre of geopolitical tensions between China and the US.

The leader of the Federated States of Micronesia has urged the Solomon Islands not to sign a security pact with China, saying he had "grave security concerns" and feared the Pacific could become embroiled in war between China and the United States.

One of the Australian Defence Force's most senior officers has warned if China manages to station warships in Solomon Islands it would force a change to Defence operations. It comes as the Defence Minister says the government will have "more to say" about a potential new port in Darwin.

The defence force's joint operations chief says Chinese navy vessels in the Solomons would change Australian military operations.

Taking countries’ preferences and needs seriously is the first step to strengthening leadership in the region