Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare in 2019 (The Interpreter)

Australia was assured by Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare on Friday that his country will not permit China's military to enter its territory, as the island nation has been in the middle of a diplomatic tug-of-war in the southern Pacific Ocean - between the US, Australia, and their allies on the one hand, and China on the other.

This comes after Australian PM Anthony Albanese met Sogavare in Canberra on Thursday to amend ties following tensions when the island nation signed a security pact with China in April this year, which Solomon Island officials regarded as crucial to protect the "domestic security" of the Islands. In a written response to questions sent by AFP, Sogavare said, "About China, this is a sensitive issue we discussed and I assured Australia when I met with Anthony Albanese yesterday that we will not allow such to happen."

Just last month, Australia announced its intentions on strengthening the relationship as its Foreign Minister urged China to help end the war in Ukraine in its capacity as a "great power". According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese Minister highlighted the significance of stable bilateral ties, calling for them to be resilient and not prone to "accidents", considering the 50 years of diplomatic relations between both nations. In April of this year, China accused Australia's Defense Minister of slander and "wild remarks" after his recent statement, saying that Australians should "prepare for war."

The Solomon Islands rejected in September an Australian offer to fund its next election as "inappropriate", dismissing Canberra's latest effort to strengthen ties with the Pacific nation over its growing concern over the island's rapprochement from Beijing. The latter even denied reports of China's alleged desire to build a military base on the Solomon Islands under the newly signed security agreement.

On the other hand, the US, UK, and Australia had formed their AUKUS alliance amid China concerns. The alliance was based on enhancing Australia's nuclear capabilities through advanced technology and nuclear submarines in order to increase the alliance's strength in the South Pacific as China grows more influential in its region.

Solomons Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele stated this week that he was "not comfortable" with indirect references to China that were involved in a draft US-Pacific partnership declaration. The declaration is part of US President Joe Biden's hosting of the US-Pacific Islands summit last month, intended to enrich and bolster relations with the Pacific islands. It is significant in counteracting China’s growing engagement in the region. The two countries have been growing colder together in recent decades, with the US going as far as shutting down its embassy in Honiara two decades ago.