Albanese welcomes Solomons China base decision

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday welcomed Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare ruling out a Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands. Albanese spoke on the final day of the Pacific Islands Forum being held in Suva, Fiji, this week.

Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister said “What we need to do is make sure that regional security issues are looked after by our regional security partners. I note the Prime Minister Sogavare has made very positive comments about the engagement that we had. I welcome that. I think you have got to deal with people at face value, and he has made those comments, we of course have made very clear what Australia's position is on any proposal such as the one that was mooted in the media, prior to it being ruled out by Prime Minister Sogavare. So I welcome his comments ruling out there being a Chinese base (near) Australia."

Albanese’s government was elected in May with promises of more action on climate change and an additional 525 million Australian dollars spent on regional aid. Climate change is the forum’s greatest security concern.Australia also has a security pact with Solomon Islands and Australian police have been maintaining peace in the capital Honiara since violence late last year.