Australia, Solomon Islands vows stronger ties

Australia and the Solomon Islands said on Tuesday they were stepping up bilateral ties, a day after China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific in a move analysts say could intensify strategic rivalry in the region.



Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who arrived on Tuesday in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara and was greeted by newly elected Prime Minister Matthew Wale, said both nations have agreed to continue negotiations on a new comprehensive treaty.



"Australia and Solomon Islands are stepping up our partnership," Albanese said in a post on X from Honiara as part of a Pacific tour.



"Because Australia's security starts in the Pacific, and we'll always show up for our neighbours," Albanese added.



China on Monday test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific, its first test since 2024, drawing concerns from the U.S., Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan.