Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that Beijing had “absolutely no intention” of building a military base in the Solomon Islands, following speculation about the purpose of a recent security pact with Honiara.
The Chinese minister sought to allay international concerns about the security deal China concluded last month with the Solomon Islands. in particularly from the United States and Australia, which fear it will allow the establishment of a Chinese military presence in the archipelago, saying the agreement is “unequivocal, frank and honest”.