Solomons Suck Sino Sausage

Thousand of American GIs and sailors died defending the Solomon Islands in World War Two and now China is buying the Solomons for a low rent. 

2,000 km east nor-east of Australia (Map courtesy Whereig above) is the gaggle of Solomon Islands (below).  

"One of Joe Biden's top advisers has urged Solomon Islands not to allow a Chinese military base in the country, warning the United States would "respond accordingly" to any steps in that direction.

The White House is also promising to bring forward the re-establishment of a US embassy in Honiara [capital of the Solomon Islands] and to provide the country with more medical aid.

It comes as a former senior American diplomat criticised the decision to close the embassy almost 30 years ago, suggesting the US had sought to "outsource" its relationships in the region.

This week's visit to Honiara by senior US officials including the Indo-Pacific coordinator of the National Security Council, Kurt Campbell, came too late to prevent the signing of a security pact between Solomon Islands and China.

Both the US and Australia are worried the deal could lead to Beijing establishing a base less than 2,000 kilometres off the Queensland [Australia] coast, despite assurances from Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare this would not happen..."

HERE IS THE WHOLE ABC ARTICLE