A “landmark new treaty” expected between Australia and the Solomon Islands could become a roadblock for China's lightning diplomatic offense in the South Pacific—but it will come at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Canberra’s pledge to invest at least $980 million Australian dollars, or just over U.S. $700 million, in Honiara’s economy and politics was confirmed in a leaked text message first reported by Australia’s ABC News.The deal will be welcome news for Washington, D.C. It would make the Solomon Islands the latest Pacific island nation to pivot away from China, after Australia concluded separate new security agreements this summer with Vanuatu and Fiji. Chinese officials reacted poorly to the setbacks, having sent over $1 billion in aid to both countries in the last two decades.
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