SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia will continue to work with Solomons Islands in security matters even if the Pacific nation sign a security agreement with China. Australia strongly opposes this proposal. Marise Payne, Australian Foreign Minister said Sunday.

Canberra worries that the security deal is not being publicised could lead to a Chinese military presence less than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), from Australia.

An Australian minister met in Honiara with Manasseh Sogare, Solomon Islands Prime Minister and requested that he not sign the agreement despite a campaign for national elections that had placed the Australian government into caretaker mode.

When asked if Australia would maintain security cooperation with Solomon Islands in the event of the agreement being approved, Payne stated to ABC Television: “Yes. That is absolutely my opinion and that of Pacific partners.”

Payne expressed concern over the “lack of transparency” in relation to the agreement.

According to her, the recent Sogavare assurances that there would not be a Chinese military base in Solomons Islands were “very important”.

Officials from China as well Solomon Islands signed, but have not yet, the security agreement, which Australia and New Zealand have criticised for threatening regional stability.

Allies Australia and New Zealand have raised concerns about Chinese influence within a region they control for over a decade.

Beijing said this week that security relations between China and the Pacific country were not intended to target any third parties and didn’t contradict Solomons Islands’ cooperation with other countries.