Potential China military base in Solomons

[Shinpachi]

Yomiuri News on June 1.

On June 13, the Japanese government will dispatch a fleet of JMSDF escort ships DDH Izumo, DD Takanami, DD Kirisame and a submarine with a P-1 patrol plane to the Indo-Pacific region including Solomon Islands. The fleet plans to visit 12 countries by October 28. Purpose is to restrain China which aims to expand its influence in this region recently...

Original news in Japanese:

海自護衛艦「いずも」ソロモン諸島など派遣へ…１２か国・地域に寄港、中国けん制狙う

【読売新聞】　政府は１３日から、海上自衛隊の護衛艦「いずも」などをインド太平洋地域に派遣する。ソロモン諸島など太平洋の 島嶼 （ とうしょ ） 国のほか、米国やインド、豪州など計１２か国・地域に寄港する予定だ。この地域で影響力拡大を

www.yomiuri.co.jp

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Considering the nations involved, I figured this would be the best thread for reposting this article:


Australia's Defense Department announced on Sunday that one of its surveillance aircraft had been "dangerously" intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea in late May, criticizing the incident as needlessly provocative and dangerous to the pilots.

The Australian aircraft, identified as a Boeing P-8 Poseidon, was intercepted on May 26 by a Chinese Shenyang J-16, during what authorities described as a "routine maritime surveillance activity" in international airspace. During the interception, the Chinese aircraft reportedly flew close in front of the Australian plane and released a bundle of chaff, or small reflective pieces of aluminum designed to obstruct radar and confuse missiles, which was subsequently ingested into the plane's engines.

"The intercept resulted in a dangerous maneuver which posed a safety threat to the P-8 aircraft and its crew," the Australian statement read. "The Australian Government has raised its concerns about the incident with the Chinese Government," the statement added.

"[The Department of] Defense has for decades undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace," it continued.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, who took office three days before the incident took place, told reporters on Sunday that Australian officials had raised concerns with their Chinese counterparts "through appropriate channels." China's embassy in Canberra, Australia's capital, did not comment on the incident.[/i

Crisis in the Skies: Chinese Jet Buzzes Australian Plane Over South China Sea

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese told reporters that Australian officials had raised concerns with their Chinese counterparts “through appropriate channels.”

nationalinterest.org

 

[Admiral Beez]

Britain's abandonment of East of Suez was such a dumb move. France, facing equally troubling economic times kept its Pacific bases, and so should have Britain. Britain should have kept the Solomons, or at least kept a small base. Offer them British citizenship, same as today's Falklanders, and as France has done across its overseas territory. Same with Singapore, the locals asked Britain to stay, not as colonial overseers, but to keep the naval base.

 

[GTX]

China-Solomon Islands security deal could lead to a 'difficult' situation for Australian troops in Honiara

Solomon Islands and China signed a wide-ranging security deal in April that opens the way for Beijing to send police and military forces to the Pacific nation, but there are questions over how the agreement will operate.

www.abc.net.au

 

[GTX]

'Yikes': Emails reveal US department's response to China-Solomon Islands security pact

Internal emails reveal United States officials described the signing of a security pact between China and Solomon Islands as "very troubling".

www.abc.net.au

 

[GTX]

US, Australia will 'watch very carefully' as China-Solomons pact takes shape, senior Biden official says

United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has reassured the Pacific region the Biden administration is watching closely as the security pact between China and the Solomon Islands takes shape, warning a military base on the islands would "create security concerns for all".

www.abc.net.au

 

[N4521U]

now ain't That the Truuuuuuthhhhhh!

 

[SaparotRob]

I'm curious as to how Honiara's security will be enhanced by the PLA. I wasn't aware Tonga was threatening Honiara.

 

[Shinpachi]

"A member of JMSDF was attacked attending a memorial service in Solomon Islands
(Jiji August 08, 2022)

A member of the JMSDF escort ship "Kirisame" that visits Solomon Islands has been attacked. Four members participated in the memorial ceremony held near the capital Honiara. According to New Zealand media and other sources, the member was stabbed in the neck with scissors but suffered minor injuries. The man who stabbed lived nearby and was mentally unstable. The man was arrested at the scene and handed over to police."

Looks too late to be a legacy of ww2.
Source: 海上自衛隊員１人襲われる 慰霊式に出席中―ソロモン諸島：時事ドットコム

 

[GTX]

Solomon Islands denies control over national broadcaster, but seeks to replace board

The Solomon Islands government says it's considering replacing the board of the country's national broadcaster, but denies taking control of editorial policy, amid concerns the government-funded media outlet is losing its independence.

www.abc.net.au

 

[GTX]

Solomon Islands government seeks to delay election, prompting calls for Australia to help cover the costs

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's government wants to extend parliament until after Solomon Islands hosts the Pacific Games in November 2023, despite a vote being due in May.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Denniss]

Getting the media in line with the government is the first step into dictatorship

 

[GTX]

Hmmm...

Solomon Islands PM drops 'bombshell', fast-tracking bill to delay elections

Manasseh Sogavare says the constitutional amendment will be debated in parliament next week, allowing him to dodge a parliamentary committee hearing where opposition MPs and civil society groups could weigh in on the bill.

www.abc.net.au

 

[GTX]

Navy ships temporarily banned from Solomon Islands ports

The Solomon Islands government puts a moratorium on all navy vessels entering its ports, saying it needs to review approval requirements and procedures.

www.abc.net.au

US Coast Guard vessel patrolling for illegal fishing unable to refuel in Solomon Islands

A US Coast Guard official says one of its boats was unable to obtain entry to refuel in Honiara while on patrol.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Shinpachi]

I wonder why the US coast guard vessels are outside the US.
USN suffers from vessel shortage?

 

[WARSPITER]

US coast guard ships are used for illegal fishing patrols along with Australian, New Zealand and British ships.

They use Coast Guard ships from the US as it can arouse sensitivities if US naval vessels are used.

 

[SaparotRob]

Is to being American Imperialism. Yankee Capitalist Running Dog Tools Of Wall Street are expanding their Imperialist nation by now claiming coast of Filthy Capitalist Aggressor Australia with Yankee Coastal Guardians.

 

[WARSPITER]

Is to being American Imperialism. Yankee Capitalist Running Dog Tools Of Wall Street are expanding their Imperialist nation by now claiming coast of Filthy Capitalist Aggressor Australia with Yankee Coastal Guardians.

Whatever you are on, I want a kilo of it.

 

[Snautzer01]

Whatever you are on, I want a kilo of it.

He is starting the 60 ies all over again. Now... to find some bands that can write a song and a god that plays gitar.

 

[SaparotRob]

He is starting the 60 ies all over again. Now... to find some bands that can write a song and a god that plays gitar.

Hey Thump, we need you!