China defends Solomon Islands deal, refutes rumors

China on Monday refuted the claim it plans to build a military base in the Solomon Islands after a bilateral deal on security cooperation was signed, saying it is fake news fabricated by a handful of people with ulterior motives.

"Security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands is based on equality and mutual benefit. It is open, transparent, reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

Such cooperation falls within the scope of the two countries' sovereignty and is consistent with international law and common practice, he added.

Instead, Wang said the trilateral security cooperation framework among Washington, London and Canberra, known as AUKUS, is itself an example of underhand dealing that lacks openness and transparency.

"When do the US and Australia plan to hand over AUKUS to regional countries, including South Pacific island countries, for review?" he asked.

The spokesman noted South Pacific island countries are independent and sovereign countries and not the backyard of the US or Australia.

"The attempts to replicate Monroe Doctrine in the South Pacific region is unpopular and will not work," he said.

The spokesman also said on Monday instead of spreading disinformation to smear China in pursuit of selfish political gains, Australian politicians should honestly face public concerns at home and abroad.

Wang made the remarks after Australia's Defense Minister Peter Dutton on Sunday accused China of paying bribes to win international deals.

"We regret some politicians in Australia are holding on to a Cold War mentality, creating rumors to smear China and trying to sow discord between China and other countries," he said.