News Snapshot:
China’s engagement with South Pacific island nations poses no threat to Australia, Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian (肖千) said yesterday in response to concern that Beijing plans to establish a military foothold in the Solomon Islands. Xiao made the comments in a newspaper opinion piece as reports emerged of a planned trip by a high-level Chinese delegation to the Solomons following the completion of a bilateral security pact. “The cooperation between China and the South Pacific island countries is conducive to people’s well-being on both sides, and regional prosperity and stability, and will by no means threaten Australia’s security,”...
