Honyara: Solomon Islands all travel has been suspended foreign navyCiting the need to review approval processes, the country’s leader said on Tuesday, after a US Coast Guard Was unable to refuel at his port. The decision comes amid concerns over Solomon’s growing ties with China in recent years, changing diplomatic recognition Taipei Signed a security agreement for Beijing in 2019 and with the Asian power in April.
Western governments are wary that the islands could provide China with a military base in the strategically important region.
In a speech welcoming the US hospital ship to the capital on Tuesday HoniyaraPM Manasseh Sogaware said that he is reviewing the process of allowing foreign military ships to dock in the country.
“We have requested our allies to give us time to review and implement our new procedures before sending further requests for the entry of military ships into the country,” he said.
He also denied reports that a US Coast Guard ship and a British Navy ship were not allowed to dock in the country, saying that delays in processing their approvals meant that both were turned back. was.
The US Embassy in Canberra confirmed that it had received formal notice of the suspension of naval visits. “The US is disappointed that the US Coast Guard was not able to make this planned stop at Honiara,” the embassy said. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely.” Sogaware did not outline the duration of the suspension, but promised a “smooth and timely” approval process for the naval voyages after review.
Western governments are wary that the islands could provide China with a military base in the strategically important region.
In a speech welcoming the US hospital ship to the capital on Tuesday HoniyaraPM Manasseh Sogaware said that he is reviewing the process of allowing foreign military ships to dock in the country.
“We have requested our allies to give us time to review and implement our new procedures before sending further requests for the entry of military ships into the country,” he said.
He also denied reports that a US Coast Guard ship and a British Navy ship were not allowed to dock in the country, saying that delays in processing their approvals meant that both were turned back. was.
The US Embassy in Canberra confirmed that it had received formal notice of the suspension of naval visits. “The US is disappointed that the US Coast Guard was not able to make this planned stop at Honiara,” the embassy said. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely.” Sogaware did not outline the duration of the suspension, but promised a “smooth and timely” approval process for the naval voyages after review.