The Solomon Islands Prime Minister has told lawmakers the country's new security deal with China will not "undermine the peace and harmony of our region", as has been feared by the opposition and countries including Australia and the United States.The security pact allows China to send police and military personnel to the Solomon Islands "to assist in maintaining social order," while also opening the door for Chinese warships to stop in port there for "logistical replenishment" — giving rise to worries of a possible Chinese naval base on the doorstep of Australia and New Zealand.But in his address to Parliament on Wednesday, Manasseh Sogavare defended the security agreement as being directed entirely to "our internal security situation".
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