US to ‘Respond Accordingly’ If Solomon Islands–China Pact Permits Military Base

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspect honor guards at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 9, 2019. Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images

The United States has warned the leadership of the Solomon Islands that Washington will “respond accordingly” if China is allowed to install a military base on the Pacific nation under the terms of the Solomon Islands–China security pact.

A high-level U.S. delegation has met with Solomon Islands leaders in Honiara and raised concerns about the purpose and transparency of the agreement, the White House stated on April 22.