Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has announced he will review the controversial security agreement with China, a move closely watched by Australia and other Pacific nations. The announcement came during Wale's visit to Australia where he met with senior government officials.
In a revealing admission, Wale disclosed that he was unable to access the security agreement for several weeks after becoming Prime Minister, suggesting that officials were reluctant to share the sensitive document. He said he only received a copy a day before departing for Australia.
The Prime Minister said he has been praying and fasting over what to do with the agreement, reflecting the enormous pressure he faces from both China and Western allies. He stated that his cabinet would need to examine the document before any decisions are made.
The security pact, signed under Wale's predecessor, contains a non-disclosure clause that prevents public release. Wale had been a fierce critic of the agreement while in opposition and had promised to make it public, though he has softened that stance since taking office.
Wale confirmed that the review would cover not only the China security agreement but also other security arrangements with various countries. Australia's Prime Minister responded by stating that Australia respects the sovereignty of Pacific nations and the decisions their leaders make.
The China-Solomon Islands security pact signed in 2022 established Beijing as a security player in the Pacific for the first time, setting a precedent that concerned Australia and other Western nations. If Wale manages to limit China's security role in Solomon Islands, it would send a powerful signal across the region.
Analysts note that Beijing is unlikely to accept any significant changes to the agreement without pushback. The outcome of the review will be watched closely by other Pacific nations considering their own security arrangements and the balance between Chinese and Western influence in the region.