that China is seeking a region-wide deal with almost a dozen Pacific islands has Australia scrambling to shore up its position in the “Pacific family”., which could allow Chinese warships to be based in the South Pacific, a three hour flight from Brisbane.and while the details of the region-wide deal are not yet clear, the Solomons agreement shows why experts are concerned. Here are five maps that explain why.
The rough distance between Australia and mainland China is 4000 kilometres. If China did create a base in the Solomon Islands, it would halve the distance between the current military presence of the two countries. “It is the main route from the Western Pacific, and South China Sea, to Australia. If a hostile navy was moving to cut communications between Australia and the United States, all that area comes into play,” Dr Graham says.A look at the geostrategic role Solomon Islands played in the battle over the South Pacific during World War II also offers insight into why this security deal with China is ringing alarm bells in the region.
The first island chain stretches from the Japanese archipelago, through Taiwan to the Philippines and towards Borneo in Indonesia. China’s increased interest in the Pacific Islands underscores a push for its presence to be felt in the second island chain. The third island chain is centred around Hawaii. If China had control of this chain, it would be able to limit the United States’ power.
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