Liberal frontbencher, Simon Birmingham, has urged the Albanese government to avoid an arms race with Beijing following the Chinese regime’s counter-donation of police equipment and vehicles to the Solomon Islands.
This follows a donation of 13 vehicles and 60 MK18 rifles made by the Australian Federal Police to the Solomon Islands that was formalised in Honiara on Nov. 2.
When asked whether Australia was now in an arms race with Beijing following reports of China’s donations, Birmingham said Australia “certainly shouldn’t be (in an arms race).”
“I trust that’s not the case,” he said.
“We are working cooperatively with the Solomon Islands government and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force as we have done for a long period of time.
Counter ‘Donation’
On Nov. 4, Beijing announced that it would donate two water cannon trucks and other vehicles to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).The move comes as both Canberra and Beijing compete for influence over the Solomon Islands as concerns grow over Beijing’s growing influence in the South Pacific. In April, the Solomon Islands signed a security pact with Beijing that would pave the way for Chinese troops and weapons to be stationed on the island nation.
However on Oct. 6, Sogavare assured Australia that it would not “endanger his country” by allowing Beijing to build a naval base in the South Pacific.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Australia was not attempting to outcompete Beijing for the Solomon Island’s friendship, saying that all Pacific countries are free to have the relations they want, with any country they want.
“We’ve just got to focus on our own relationship with the Solomon Islands and indeed with all the countries of the Pacific,” he told ABC radio on Nov. 4.
“I genuinely do believe that if we are present and if we are engaged with the countries in the Pacific, they'll want to work with us.”
“We’ve been working with the Solomon Islands police force over a very long period of time, I’m confident that if we do that we will be the natural partner of choice.”
In June, Marles said Beijing’s militarisation in the Asia Pacific was the “largest” and “most ambitious” seen by any country since the end of the second world war.
“Australia’s approach will be anchored in a resolve to safeguard our national interests, and our support for regional security and stability based on rules.”
“Australia’s investments in defence capability are a necessary and prudent response to the military buildup we see taking place in the Indo-Pacific.”
