New prime minister says Solomon Islands will review its secretive security treaty with China

The Solomon Islands will review its secretive security treaty with China, the South Pacific nation’s new Prime Minister Matthew Wale said Wednesday.

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Solomon Islands will review its secretive security treaty with China, the South Pacific nation’s new Prime Minister Matthew Wale said Wednesday.

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The pact struck in 2022 with the Solomons’ then-Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare created fears in the United States and among allies including Australia that it would allow the Chinese navy to build a base in the South Pacific.

Before Wale became prime minister in a parliamentary vote May 15, he had called for the details of the treaty to be made public.