The U.S. will “respond accordingly” should Beijing’s security pact with the Solomon Islands lead to a permanent Chinese military presence in the Pacific nation.
While the U.S. respects the rights of countries to make decisions in the best interests of their people, there are potential regional security implications of the accord for the U.S. and its allies, the White House said in an April 22 statement. No details of the security implications, or response were offered.
Kurt Campbell, the Biden administration’s Asia czar, led a delegation to the South Pacific this week that included a 90-minute meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. That came after the U.S. and Australian governments voiced concern at the new security agreement, which is seen as a diplomatic victory for Beijing in a region that has usually turned to Washington and Canberra, for support.
