The Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand rebuked the Pacific nation for signing a policing pact with China that will 'undermine' regional security.
The pact, which was signed earlier this month, will see China take over training of local police and boost the number of its own officers stationed on the island.
In June, Mr Sogavare called for a review of a security treaty signed between Australia and the Pacific nation that had, amongst other arrangements, seen Australian police provide the majority of support and training for local authorities. In their joint statement on Wednesday, Prime Ministers Albanese and Hipkins said they were worried the new police pact would"undermine the Pacific's agreed regional security norms, including a family first approach to peace and security."
Furthermore, they argued,"the agreement is inconsistent with Pacific Islands Forum leaders' commitments and the approach the Forum has taken on regional security matters." An early draft of the"comprehensive strategic partnership," which includes the police pact, caused an outcry last May when officials discovered it appeared to suggest China would be allowed to establish a naval base in, or near, Honiara - the country's capital.
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