Solomon Islands cancels visit of U.S. naval after signing deal with China

The Solomon Islands have suspended the visit of all U.S. naval vessels temporarily following a developing closer relation with China.

Spokesperson for the American embassy in Canberra, Australia, was cited to have said on Tuesday that the U.S. was notified on Monday of a “moratorium on all naval visits until protocol procedures are updated.’’

Relations with the U.S. were said to have severed after the Solomon Islands agreed on a security deal with China a few months ago.

The Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, was said to have ignored the advice of New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. not to sign the agreement.

It was gathered that the increasing influence of China on the government in Honiara and even a possible military presence in the country have been causing tension in the region.

The country was identified to be close to the U.S. territory of Guam.

The security pact with the Solomon Islands was the first of its kind Chima had signed in the South Pacific and represented an important diplomatic triumph for the Chinese.

An incident was said to have recently occurred between the US and the Solomon Islands when a U.S. Coast Guard ship was denied routine access to a port on the archipelago for refuelling.

The Solomon Islands has a population of about 700,000, situated `2,000 kilometres northeast of Australia.