A secret document, now not a secret, has revealed that communist China has been seeking a base of operations for its navy for some time, and it intends to do so, well, for eternity. Right in our backyard, knocking over the supply chain objection to the threat of Chinese invasion of Australia. Why should we be surprised about this? Wasn’t anything learnt from World War II and the attack by imperial Japan? Apparently not.
“A secret document has lifted the lid on China's intention to set up a permanent military base in the Solomon Islands, just 2000km from Australia's east coast.
The leaked letter of intent penned in 2020 by a Beijing-backed engineering firm shows how the communist superpower is seeking a base of operations for naval forces for the next '75 years'.
The alarming development comes just 24 hours after the Chinese Embassy in the capital Honiara said reports of Beijing setting up a military base are 'utterly misinformation (sic) deliberately spread with political motive'.
It also follows days of tough talking from Beijing diplomats who've slammed Canberra and Wellington calling their fears of Chinese militarisation in the South Pacific a relic of 'Cold War and colonial mentality.'
In the document, Mr Rong Qian from the Avic International Project Engineering Company, writes to Leslie Kikolo who is the former Premier of the Isobel Province.
The letter 'demonstrates our intent to study the opportunity to develop Naval and infrastructure projects on leased land for the People's Liberation Navy, for the Isobel Province with exclusive rights for 75 years,' Mr Rong said in the document published by news.com.au.
Mr Rong promised the Chinese state firm that 'before development of project, China would assist Solomon Islands, including infrastructure, education and sports'.
'Our expertise in the related sector will not only contribute to the success of Vocational Training in the Solomon Islands but will also help the country to improve her education level and military cooperation with China.'
Last month the region was shocked when a secret security agreement between China and Solomon Islands was uncovered.
The draft security agreement says Solomon Islands, could 'request China to send police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces' to the country.
It further states China may 'make ship visits, to carry out logistical replenishment in, and have stopover and transition in Solomon Islands'.”