The Solomon Islands has signed a controversial security deal with China, raising fears the nation could be used as a Chinese military outpost

The terms of the agreement have not been officially disclosed, but leaked documents reveal the deal will allow Beijing to send troops to the Solomon Islands to protect Chinese infrastructure projects.

The agreement will also allow Chinese naval ships to stop in the Solomon Islands for “logistical support”.

Western nations fear the deal will allow China to establish a de facto naval base in the Pacific.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has defended the pact with China. He says the deal will not “undermine the peace and harmony of our region”.

What are China’s plans in the Pacific?

In November last year, violent anti-government riots broke out in the Solomon Islands.

Dr. Tess Cain from the Griffith Asia Institute told Ticker News China has significant economic interests in the Solomon Islands, which were threatened during the riots.

“Security has been a concern, particularly since the riots of last year where we saw Chinese businesses targeted,” she says.

Dr. Cain says the main reason for the deal is for China to protect these economic interests.

Dr. Cain says China is broadening its economic ties across the region. But she says there is nothing unusual about its desire to protect its economic interests.

“It’s not uncommon for countries, large countries such as China or the US to seek to protect their own citizens.” she says.

A naval base in the Pacific?

Nations including the U.S., Australia and New Zealand have voiced concerns that following the deal, the Solomon islands will become a Chinese military outpost.

Indeed, Australian Opposition Minister Penny Wong told the ABC the deal is “the worst foreign policy blunder in the Pacific since World War Two”.

While Dr. Cain refuses to rule any possibilities out, she believes a Chinese military base in the Pacific remains a remote possibility.

While the deal creates the potential for a higher presence of Chinese assets, Dr. Cain believes it is unlikely to make a noticeable difference.