US media: The Solomon Islands have refused to allow US Coast Guard ships to enter the port
A U.S. Coast Guard patrol vessel on an international mission in the Pacific Ocean was denied access to a port in the Solomon Islands, raising concerns about China's growing influence in the region, Fox News reported on Aug. 27.
The Coast Guard office in Honolulu said the Oliver Henry was participating in Operation Island Chief, which ended Friday when the ship tried to stop at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands as planned to refuel and resupply.
However, the Coast Guard said the Solomon Islands government had not responded to diplomatic clearance for the ship to stay there, so the Oliver Henry turned to Papua New Guinea.
In addition, a British vessel was reportedly also denied entry, but the Royal Navy did not comment directly on the reports.
During Operation Island Chiefs, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand provided support to Pacific island nations, including the Solomon Islands, through air and ground surveillance.
China has been firmly trying to expand its presence and influence in the Pacific, with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare shocking neighbors, the United States and others after signing a new security deal with China.
Responding to the news on Twitter (Figure 3), james Hutton, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs, said, "China is gaining ground in its efforts to gain dominance in the Pacific," said the report Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary James Hutton tweeted in response to the news.)。
The report was originally titled "US Coast Guard cutter denied entry into Solomon Islands port sparking concerns of China's growing influence" (A U.S. Coast Guard vessel was denied access to Solomon Islands ports, raising concerns about China's growing influence).
