Concerns have been expressed in Australia that Chinese ownership of the conflict islands would present Beijing with an opportunity to project power at Canberra’s doorstep.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has urged the government to buy the privately-owned islands, which fall under the jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has admitted that it would be worrying if Beijing were to purchase a group of privately-owned islands located off the country’s northwestern coast near Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the Solomon Sea.
Ian Gowrie-Smith, a retired Australian businessman, is selling 21 atolls, known as the Conflict Islands, to possible buyers.
Gowrie-Smith told Nine News this week that he sent an email to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in June, saying that he wanted to sell off the islands.
US Military building a Missile Wall against North Korea in the Pacific
He said the reason he approached the Australian government was because he was already concerned about the security implications for Australia from the Sino-Solomon Islands security pact, which was unveiled in June 2022.
Gowrie-Smith has said that he would accept a price of $25 million ($36 million Australian dollars) should Canberra decide to buy the Conflict Islands.
He would sell off the islands to Beijing if he doesn’t get a favorable response from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Pacific Solomon Islands serve as a Military barrier between East and West
Australian media reports have noted that the Conflict Islands are located near one of Canberra’s main shipping routes, making them strategically significant. Importantly, three submarine cables connecting Australia to the world lie near the islands.
Top Australian generals have warned that a potential Chinese military presence in the Solomon Islands would affect the patrolling patterns of the Australian Defense Force (ADF).
Both China and the Solomon Islands have consistently rejected that a Chinese military base is envisaged under the security agreement.
Sputnik / ABC Flash Point News 2022.
This is carrying on the “China is a Threat ” propaganda -instigated by the USA after their “China is collapsing ” propaganda fell flat on its back -a Big Lie ” – childish name-calling by “childlike USA ” because they dont want China to be the number one economy or world power. How sad that they roped in the UK who used to have intelligence but has been reduced to obeying its Master -the USA -vis-a-vis Huawei -Master told Boris stop Chinese investment in it – Servant yes SIR ! Did the USA compensate the UK – er no !… Read more »
Totally agree, except for the point that British citizens now having a disadvantage with 5G connections. A blessing in disguise for many people now the digital control established with 5G does not work as it should?
China has at least a 1000-years human development advantage on the so-called civilized world?
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