Skip to Content

Australian, Solomon Islands ministers discuss China pact

KTVZ

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne has met her Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele for the first time since the South Pacific island nation signed a security pact with China. Payne said Saturday she met Manele in the Australian city of Brisbane as he transited through the airport on Friday night. Payne’s office said in a statement Australia has “deep concerns about the security agreement with China, including the lack of transparency.” Manele could not be contacted for comment Saturday. Australia’s minister for international development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja, flew to the Solomon Islands on April 12 to unsuccessfully ask the government to abandon it. The opposition Labor Party said at the time that Payne should have been sent instead.

Article Topic Follows: AP National News

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content