“The US is the main target of this decision, and it aims to counter the US containment strategy in the Indo-Pacific,” said Brady, who works at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.
In her opinion, the agreement between the two countries "directly threatens the security and autonomy of the Pacific island states, as well as Australia and New Zealand."
The TV channel notes that the United States fears, among other things, the possible creation of a Chinese military base in the Pacific Ocean after the signing of the corresponding pact between Beijing and Honiara.
In this case, China will establish a military presence at a distance of 2 thousand km from Australia, while relations between China and Australia are at the lowest level in recent years.
At the same time, China noted "normal cooperation between law enforcement agencies" and security forces with the island nation.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also accused the US of promoting a "cold war mentality" in the Indo-Pacific region through the AUKUS alliance.
On April 22, it became known that a US delegation arrived in the Solomon Islands, headed by a high-ranking official from the Joe Biden administration, Kurt Campbell.
The visit of US officials was connected with the recent signing of an agreement between the Solomon Islands and China in the field of security.
As Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison noted, the construction of a military base by China in the Solomon Islands will be a red line for Canberra and Washington.