Morrison: ‘No evidence’ that China plans to build Navy base in Solomons
There is no credible intelligence suggesting China will establish a military base in the Solomon Islands, 1600 kilometres off the Australian mainland, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
Mr Morrison says there are no suggestions of a Chinese naval base being built in the Solomons, noting Australia remained Honiara’s security partner of choice with defence personnel and federal police on the ground.
“There is no credible information that suggests that outcome – ie, a naval base in the Solomon Islands,” he told the Seven Network.
“I know (a base) would be their wish and I know that would be their intent and that is why we have been very proactive over many, many years.”
The prime minister noted the risk of Chinese influence in the Pacific remains real, saying Beijing doesn’t play by the same rules as liberal democracies.
“They play by very different rules and I think people know what I mean when I say that,” Mr Morrison told Sky News.
“It’s really important that we take this incredibly seriously and always have, because the ambitions of the Chinese government, I think, are very clear.”
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But Defence Minister Peter Dutton was more direct in his assertions without making specific allegations about bribery in the Solomon Islands when speaking on 3AW radio.
“China conducts its business in a very different way than we do,” he said.
“We don’t bribe people, the Chinese certainly do, and they’ve demonstrated that in Africa and elsewhere. People can draw their own conclusions.
“We can provide support, but we can’t win a deal at the end of the day if somebody’s relying on a corrupt payment.”
