05.07.2022, 16:29
Zitat:Opposition now claims China is gunning for military base in Solomon Islandshttps://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/...5ayn2.html
The Coalition has conceded China does appear to be aiming to establish a military base in Solomon Islands, a change of tack from former prime minister Scott Morrison’s insistence no such thing would happen. But acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, who is also defence minister, is hopeful Australia’s relationship with China is on track to improve after his meeting last month with China State Councillor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe. [...] Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said the world had seen “continuity, not change” from Marles and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in their approach to China. [...]
The Solomon Islands government signed a security pact with China during Australia’s election campaign, leading to questions about Morrison’s engagement with Pacific leaders. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has since assured Foreign Minister Penny Wong China would not have a persistent military presence in his nation. [...] But Hastie said it appeared China wanted one. [...] “We’re seeing military bases in Djibouti, Cambodia, and I reckon they’re going pretty hard for one in Solomon Islands.”
Schneemann