MYSTERIOUS: 23 | Mind Blowing Facts

Diplomacy with China shows weakness: PM

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says conciliation is the "last message" he would send to China after it signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands

AAP · Mar 26, 2022

Veterans’ affairs minister threatened to quit over budget; Australia reports 30 Covid deaths – as it happened

Andrew Gee calls backlog of veteran’s compensation payments ‘a national disgrace’; WA teenager among 30 Covid deaths across the country. This blog is now closed

The Guardian - AU · Mar 25, 2022

China supports Solomon Islands in maintaining social order

China backs the Solomon Islands in upholding social order, a foreign ministry spokesman told reporters on Friday, when asked if the two were in talks on a security partnership.

Reuters · Mar 25, 2022

Document indicates China could boost military in Solomons

A leaked document indicates China is looking to boost its military presence in the Solomon Islands — including with ship visits — in a development raising alarm in nearby Australia and beyond

The Independent UK · Mar 25, 2022

Australian defence minister says China base in Solomons would be concerning

Australia's defence minister said on Friday any move to establish a Chinese military base in neighbouring Solomon Islands would be concerning, after a draft security document between Beijing and Honiara was leaked online.

Reuters · Mar 25, 2022

Secret shipment of replica guns to Solomon Islands police by China triggers concern

Police had been criticised after reports that a ‘shipment of arms’ arrived in the country on a logging vessel from an unknown source

The Guardian - AU · Mar 25, 2022

Leaked documents suggest plans for Chinese military presence in Solomon Islands

Australia has been increasingly uneasy about the growing security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands, where Australia has traditionally been the main security provider.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Exclusive-Solomon Islands considers security cooperation with China - official

The Solomon Islands has signed a policing deal with China and will send a proposal for a broader security agreement covering the military to its cabinet for consideration, an official of the Pacific island nation's government said on Thursday.

Reuters · Mar 24, 2022

Solomon Islands police show off fake guns given to them by Chinese government after 'secret' delivery

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force denies that replica rifles from China were smuggled into the country, with the nation's opposition demanding to know why the "fake guns" were unloaded "secretly" at a private wharf instead of at a public facility.

ABC News · Mar 23, 2022

‘A blatant lie’: China and Taiwan fight for credit over rescue of sailors lost at sea for 29 days

Both governments are claiming responsibility for rescue of nine Papua New Guinean nationals last month

The Guardian - AU · Mar 22, 2022