The Latest Breaking News from Solomon Islands

The United States is concerned about the lack of transparency in China's reported security pact with the Solomon Islands, the White House said on Tuesday, calling it part of a pattern of Beijing offering "shadowy" deals to countries.

Beijing (AFP) - China said Tuesday it has sealed a wide-ranging security pact with the Solomon Islands, an agreement the United States and its regional allies fear could give Beijing a military foothold in the South Pacific.

The United States says a proposed security pact between Solomon Islands and China could destabilise the Pacific Island nation and set a "concerning precedent" for the region.

Washington (AFP) - The United States on Monday voiced alarm over a potential security deal between China and the Solomon Islands, as top US diplomats headed to the South Pacific to curb Beijing's inroads.

White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell and the State Department's top official for Asia will travel this week to the Solomon Islands, the White House said on Monday, amid concerns that the Pacific Island country is making a security pact with China.

Sydney (AFP) - Australia's foreign minister said Sunday that a controversial security deal between the Solomon Islands and China would not spell the end of her country's defence cooperation with the Pacific nation.

The Solomon Islands have given assurances that its security agreement with China does not include a military base, Foreign Minister Marise Payne says.

The Solomon Islands will seek to explain its China security pact to other nations but says it will not do anything to jeopardise stability in the region.

Australia's Minister for the Pacific uses a visit to Solomon Islands in the middle of the federal election campaign to "respectfully" urge the country's Prime Minister not to sign a controversial security deal with China.