Solomon Islands PM says China security pact secrecy legally binding

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has declared that he is legally unable to release the security pact signed with China, citing a non-disclosure clause within the agreement. Wale, who took office in May, stated this after his first overseas trip, which included visits to Australia and New Zealand.

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Unfortunately because of the previous government, the security agreement with China has a non-disclosure clause inside, so we can't disclose it.

During his visit to Canberra, Wale confirmed that Australia and the Solomon Islands would begin negotiations for a new treaty. He had previously indicated a review of the 2022 security agreement with Beijing. However, he now explains that the previous government, led by Manasseh Sogavare, made binding commitments to China that prevent the pact's disclosure. "Unfortunately because of the previous government, the security agreement with China has a non-disclosure clause inside, so we can't disclose it," Wale said.

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Although I have said before I will disclose it, it's a legal document, and as the prime minister in a responsible government, I cannot do it.

Wale expressed a desire to prevent similar situations in the future by changing parliamentary rules. "We will have to change the standing orders for when any government wants to sign any treaty with another party, it must be made transparent in parliament and open to parliament scrutiny," he stated. He aims to ensure that no executive government can act without scrutiny.

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We will have to change the standing orders for when any government wants to sign any treaty with another party, it must be made transparent in parliament and open to parliament scrutiny.

The prime minister also believes the new treaty with Australia will foster "certainty" and clear "obligations" for both nations, aiming to mend the "distrust" that he feels has affected the relationship under previous administrations. While emphasizing that China remains a partner, Wale suggested that the former government's actions had created regional instability by sidelining Australia.

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We do not want any executive government to feel they can do anything without scrutiny … but it is what it is, for now.