The Latest Breaking News from Solomon Islands

Some 900 million Australia dollars ($565m) will be allocated to the Pacific region, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Australia will set aside A$46 million ($29 million) to fund police deployments in Solomon Islands in next week's budget, part of an increase in spending in the Pacific intended to shore up its standing in the region as China seeks greater influence.

A group of 32 police officers from the South Pacific nation of Solomon Islands has flown to China to train in policing techniques and improve their understanding of Chinese culture, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said in a statement.

Thirty-four officers travel to China as part of effort to improve cooperation between the two forces

Almost three dozen Solomon Islands police officers have flown to China for training in another sign of rapidly deepening police cooperation between the two countries.

Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare is trying to maintain close ties with Australia but is ultimately reliant on Beijing, a leading security experts says.

Manasseh Sogavare said he would not do anything that undermines national security or jeopardises regional stability.

Sydney (AFP) - Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said Friday he has assured Australia that his nation will not allow a Chinese military presence in its territory.

The Solomon Islands prime minister has assured Australia that he would not “endanger his country” by allowing China to establish a naval base in the South Pacific

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told his Australian counterpart on Thursday he would not do anything that undermined Pacific security and would not allow military bases in his country under a security deal with China, media reported.

Mr Sogavare says Solomon Islands and Australia are proud members of the Pacific family that share a deep and enduring history.