New Solomons PM Orders Review After Gaining Access to Secret China Security Deal

Matthew Wale hopes to turn around ties with Australia and to eventually sign a ‘comprehensive security’ deal.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale (L) and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attend a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on June 3, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/AFP via Getty Images

The newly elected Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale wants to “reset” relations with Australia, which were strained under his predecessors amid concerns of Beijing ties.

Wale faced questions about the 2022 security deal inked between former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that would allow Beijing to station troops, weapons, and naval ships in the country.