Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – Australian Foreign Minister Marise Perayne stated that she had met Jeremiah Manele from Solomon Islands for the first-time since China’s controversial Security pact. She agreed Australia would remain her security partner.

Australia, New Zealand, and the United States expressed concerns about the security agreement, fearing increased militarization in the Pacific and increasing Chinese influence in an area that has been traditionally their territory. Information about the pact has not been disclosed.

In a Saturday statement, Payne said she met Manele while he was transiting through Australia. She stated that she had reaffirmed the Australian government’s concern over the security deal with China and the lack of transparency.

She said, “We agreed to continue as the Solomon Islands’ preferred security partner,”

Payne said that she was pleased to hear that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogare assured Solomon Islands that no foreign military bases will be built and that Australia would cooperate constructively and with the Pacific family.

No response was received from the Solomon Islands government when we called for comments.