Solomon Islands prime minister says foreign criticism of China security deal ‘very insulting’

Manasseh Sogavare says it is utter nonsense' that China's presence is a threat to regional stability

Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has dismissed foreign criticism of the country's security negotiations with China as insulting" and called those who leaked the draft agreement lunatics", in his first comments to parliament on the proposed treaty.

We find it very insulting, Mr Speaker, to be branded as unfit to manage our sovereign affairs," Sogavare said on Tuesday.