On 6 May, Australian and Chinese officials held bilateral virtual talks on the Pacific.

Australian officials raised directly with their Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs counterparts Australia’s serious concerns about the Solomon Islands-China security agreement, the lack of transparency and its implications for continuing regional security and stability.

Australian officials emphasised that Australia is a Pacific nation with deep, longstanding connections with our Pacific family across all arms of government and right across our society.

Officials reinforced Australia’s abiding commitment to the security architecture of our region, including the Boe Declaration and Biketawa Declaration and the Treaty of Rarotonga, and the Pacific family remains best placed to meet the security needs of Pacific island countries comprehensively.

Both sides also exchanged views on other regional priorities, including climate change adaptation and resilience, COVID-19 response and recovery, fisheries and maritime issues, and infrastructure development across the region.