A US coast guard ship has been unable to clear a scheduled port call in the Solomon Islands as concerns about China’s influence over the Pacific nation grow.
According to Stars and Stripes, the ship, named Oliver Henry, was on patrols as part of an international mission to stop illegal fishing when it attempted to stop to refuel on Guadalcanal.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Colonel Kristin Kam told the newspaper that provides information to members of the US military that there has been no response from Solomon Islands authorities regarding diplomatic action for the ship to stop.
The mission ended Friday after Oliver Henry was diverted to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
The United States Coast Guard is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement branch of the Armed Forces.
It said the breaker arrived in Papua New Guinea, about 1,800 kilometers (497 miles) from the Solomon Islands, on Tuesday “after a patrol in areas of the Coral Sea and Solomon Islands”.
The Royal Navy did not directly comment on reports that HMS Spey, also on the mission, was also denied a port call in the Solomon Islands.
The Royal Navy said: “Ship programs are under constant review and changing them is a regular routine.
“For operational security reasons, we do not discuss details. The Royal Navy looks forward to visiting the Solomon Islands at a later date.”
During the mission, known as Operation Island Chief, the US, Australia, UK, and New Zealand provided support through air and ground surveillance to the Pacific island nations participating in the operation, including the Isles. Solomon.
Manasseh Sogavare, right, leader of the Solomon Islands, received Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in May. Photo: AP
The ship should not be allowed to stop in this country at a time when China is assertively expanding its presence and influence in the Pacific.
Manasseh Sogavare, prime minister of the Solomon Islands, concerns this year when he announced he had signed a new security treaty with China.
The treaty has raised concerns about a Chinese naval base being established within 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) of Australia’s northeast coast.
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China’s military presence in the Solomon Islands would not only put it on the doorstep of Australia and New Zealand but also close to Guam, the US territory home to major military bases.
Both the Solomon Islands and China denied their treaty would lead to a Chinese military foothold in the South Pacific.
Earlier in August, Sogavare also raised eyebrows when he skipped a memorial commemorating the Battle of Guadalcanal, a pivotal battle in World War II in which US and other allied forces took control. islands from Imperial Japan.
Wendy Sherman, the US deputy secretary of state, whose father was wounded in the Guadalcanal campaign and who attended the memorial service, said Mr Sogavare “missed an important opportunity” by not attending.
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US Senator Marsha Blackburn met Mr Sogavare in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday but it was not clear if she raised the issue about the Coast Guard’s refusal to call at the port.
The Tennessee Republican said in a statement on its website that her visit to the Solomon Islands as well as Fiji and Papua New Guinea “is an important step in demonstrating America’s commitment to the region and expand our strategic relationships”.
Lieutenant Kam told Stars and Stripes that the US State Department contacted Solomon Islands authorities after the denial of a port call and that they “hope all future clearances will be made available to our ships.” USA”.
The development took place a few weeks after .’s visit to Taiwan Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi sparking one of the biggest escalations between the US and China in years.
Beijing believes that Taiwan is a legitimate part of its country – and President Xi Jinping has not ruled out military force to bring the island into Chinese hands.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has reinforced America’s commitment to the island, even saying they would be prepared to defend it militarily.
