It may be too late to stop China-Solomon Islands treaty, former Australian intelligence chief says

A police officer from China trains Solomon Islands police in unarmed combat skills. A proposed treaty between the countries is an ‘adverse development for Australia’s security’, Richard Maude says. Photograph: Solomon Islands police/AFP/Getty Images

China’s proposed treaty with Solomon Islands is an “adverse development for Australia’s security” but it may be too late to stop the deal, a former senior Australian intelligence official has warned.

Richard Maude, head of the Office of National Assessments from 2013 to 2016 and an experienced former diplomat, urged the Morrison government not to engage in megaphone diplomacy as it tried to persuade Solomon Islands to change course.