SYDNEY, June 21, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The new leader of Solomon Islands will
visit Australia from Sunday to discuss security ties, government officials
said -- a sensitive area since the Pacific nation signed a secretive pact
with China.

Solomons Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will visit Canberra and Queensland on
his week-long trip, Australian officials said.

It will be his first visit to Australia as prime minister since he replaced
enthusiastic Beijing supporter Manasseh Sogavare in May.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host Manele at parliament for talks to
strengthen relations "including through security partnerships", his office
said in a statement on Friday.

"We highly value our position as Solomon Islands' partner of choice,"
Albanese said.

"My government is committed to listening and working with Solomon Islands as
equals, and to discussing how we can deepen our partnership into a new era of
cooperation."

Discussions will include police cooperation, humanitarian aid and a scheme
offering agricultural work in Australia for Solomon Islanders.

Manele has been less strident in his support for China than Sogavare, who
severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and was seen as deeply sceptical of both
Australia and the United States.

He has nevertheless reaffirmed his support for the "one-China" principle and
expressed his "deep appreciation" for Chinese investment and aid.

Sogavare signed a security pact with Beijing in 2022 that set alarm bells
ringing in Western capitals.

Its contents have not been officially released.

Australia and the United States feared China could use the agreement as a
springboard to establish a permanent military presence in the South Pacific.