New Solomon Islands Leader Reviews Security Pact With China, Seeks Treaty With Australia

The Solomon Islands has announced a formal review of its 2022 secretive security pact with China , while simultaneously moving to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia , marking a significant recalibration of its foreign policy in the South Pacific.

Prime Minister Matthew Wale , during his first overseas visit since taking office in May, confirmed in Canberra that his government had only recently obtained full access to the China agreement. He said the document contains a non-disclosure clause , limiting its public release and complicating immediate scrutiny.

Wale, a long-time critic of the China deal even before becoming prime minister, said the pact would now undergo a comprehensive review alongside other international security agreements . He also disclosed that he had recently removed certain officials from key positions before gaining access to the treaty, raising questions about internal handling of sensitive diplomatic documents.

The 2022 agreement, signed under former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare , has long been controversial in the region due to concerns it could allow an expanded Chinese security presence in the Pacific, including the possibility of naval access. The Solomon Islands’ 2019 decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing further intensified geopolitical scrutiny from the United States and its allies.

At the same time, Wale and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to negotiate a comprehensive bilateral treaty covering security cooperation, economic development, policing, climate resilience, and infrastructure support. The agreement is widely seen as a “reset” in Australia–Solomon Islands relations after years of strained ties.

Australia is also pushing to integrate the Solomon Islands into a broader regional policing initiative , working alongside partners such as Fiji and New Zealand to strengthen Pacific law enforcement capacity. This includes closer cooperation between the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Australian Federal Police , reflecting Canberra’s effort to remain the region’s leading security partner.

Wale stressed that his government supports a Pacific-led security framework , even as it reassesses external partnerships inherited from previous administrations. He said the Solomon Islands remains open to cooperation with all partners but must ensure agreements align with national interest and transparency standards.