‘I did all this’: Scott Morrison defends China position after security deal fallout
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected criticism of his government's approach to the China-Solomon Islands security deal, stressing it would be damaging to the nation's interests if he sent ministers "to stomp around and tell Pacific Islanders what to do".
The military pact between China and the Pacific island nation was confirmed on Tuesday evening, with Labor branding the Morrison government's inability to dissuade Solomon Islands from the deal as a "foreign policy failure".
There are fears the deal could lead to a Chinese military base on Australia's doorstep – a suggestion Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has rejected – or at the very least, increased numbers of Chinese troops in the region.
However Mr Morrison pointed out his previous hardline approach with China has faced widespread criticism from the Opposition.
"They have been very critical of me personally in the strong stand that I have taken in relation to China's influence, not just in Australia, but across the Pacific," he said.
"I was the one who stood up and called out China on the pandemic. I was the one who called out their interference. I was the one who did all of this – and I was the one criticised for it," he said.
Pressed on whether Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne should have made the 6,000km round trip to Solomon Islands instead of Pacific Minister Zed Seselja, Mr Morrison, who appeared agitated at times with the baying media, said he was "very conscious" of how visits to nations in the region are perceived.
Mr Morrison insisted you "don't throw your weight around" in the Pacific, stressing Mr Seselja's visit was the most respectful way to approach the matter.
He said he had been in constant dialogue with Solomon Islands.
"I assured them about is that Australia will be there for you as we always are, not because we want anything from you but because we see the Pacific as our family and we want to stand by our family and sure that they can have the sovereignty that they have earned, that they believe in very strongly," Mr Morrison said.
However he said he believed it was not in any Pacific nation's interests to have a "submissive" relationship with China.
"Why is Australia so forward-leaning when it comes to China? Because if not us, then who?" Mr Morrison asked.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin praised the deal on Tuesday night, saying it will strengthen "international synergy".
"China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is open, transparent and inclusive, and does not target any third party," he said.
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