China-Solomon Islands security pact has no military connotation : Chinese FM
The security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands is aimed at safeguarding the safety of people’s lives and property and has no military connotation, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday, noting media speculation on China’s military base is groundless and has ulterior motives.
Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at Friday’s media briefing
As two independent and sovereign states, China and the Solomon Islands conduct normal law enforcement and security cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, which conforms to international law and practices and is conducive to maintaining social order in the Solomon Islands, promoting regional stability and enhancing the common interests of China and all countries in the region, Zhao said.
Zhao’s remarks came after some Western media reports saying that the Solomon Islands said it won’t allow China to build a military base, and said the Solomon Islands’ statement will do little to ease international concerns of its security cooperation with China.
Zhao said he hopes the relevant sides could calmly view the China-Solomon Islands security cooperation and not over interpret it.
When it comes to militarization in the South Pacific Ocean, certain countries, regardless of the strong opposition of regional countries, spread the risk of nuclear proliferation in the region and create militarized cliques that seriously threaten regional security and stability, Zhao said, noting that is what tramples on and undermines the existing stability mechanism in the region.
Upon friendly consultation by China and Solomon Islands and the approval of the two governments, the Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands initialed the framework agreement between China and the Solomon Islands on bilateral security cooperation on Wednesday.
