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China lashes Australia’s 'unprecedented' move: 'PARANOID'

Chinese state media has blasted the Morrison government over a mid-election dash to Solomon Islands in a bid to dissuade the Pacific nation from a controversial security pact with Beijing.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja this week made the 6,000-km round trip to Solomon Islands to express Canberra's concern over the proposed deal which would likely see Chinese warships docking in one of Australia's closest neighbours.

Chinese state run tabloid the Global Times, a renowned Beijing mouthpiece, said the trip was an act of "unprecedented coercion".

It followed a a visit from Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) chief Paul Symon and the Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence Andrew Shearer, who expressed Australia's "core security concerns" with the deal.

Chinese state media cartoon saying Australia is
Chinese state media say Australia is "paranoid" over the deal. Source: Global Times

"The target of this flurry of visits, which put unprecedented pressure on the Solomon Islands, is clear-cut — to thwart the security cooperation deal between China and the island nation and drive a wedge between the two countries," the Global Times said.

Chen Hong, Director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times the visit was "insulting" to Solomon Islands, echoing Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's earlier comments about external commentary on the pact.

"For decades, Australia has been regarding the South Pacific as its own backyard and sphere of influence. It has been adopting colonialist-style 'dollar diplomacy', using aid and financial support as a coercive way to impose its own ideology and political system on the Pacific island nations," the Global Times said, citing Mr Chen.

Headshots of Scott Morrison and Xi Jinping.
China and national security are set to be a significant part of Mr Morrison's election campaign. Source: AAP/ Getty

The Global Times later published a cartoon titled: 'Australian paranoia over China-Solomons deal'. The publication stated Australia's behaviour had been "patronising" to the island nation.

In the image a kangaroo can be seen fretting whilst looking through a large telescope with the lens reading: 'Security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands'.

Pictured behind the kangaroo are missiles and a submarine – a nod to AUKUS's commitment to bring hypersonic missiles and nuclear-powered submarines to Australia which has been heavily criticised by Beijing.

On Wednesday Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Mr Seselja's visit "stoked confrontation" and "created division" in the region.

A day later, in the wake of criticism of the deal from the US, Mr Zhao said it was clear "some people are bossing the Pacific island countries around" and ongoing criticism of the deal was "irresponsible".

On Wednesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison denied Australia had shown a lack of respect to Solomon Islands.

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