Australia’s foreign minister denounces China’s ‘secret’ security deal with Solomon Islands

Marise Payne says other members of the Pacific family' share concerns but she rejects claims her government dropped the ball' in the region

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Marise Payne has denounced the secret" terms of China's security deal with Solomon Islands, while insisting no document signed and kept away from public view" would change Australia's commitment to answering Pacific countries' needs.

The foreign affairs minister said the agreement was not transparent" - unlike Australia's existing security treaty with Solomon Islands - and was also being hidden from other Pacific countries.