China announced the signing of a security treaty with the Solomon Islands amid worries from the United States and Australia over the historic accord, which could result in China establishing a military post in the South Pacific country near Australia.

During a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele signed an inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation between the two countries.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the two countries "will cooperate in areas such as social order maintenance, protection of people's lives and property, humanitarian assistance, and natural disaster response, in an effort to assist the Solomon Islands in strengthening capacity building for self-security."

The news comes despite concerns from Australia, the United States, and New Zealand that the pact would include establishing a military facility, similar to China's 2017 accord with the African nation Djibouti. However, the Pacific island nation has emphasized that such a condition was not included in the agreement. The pact's details have not yet been made public.

According to the US, a US delegation led by Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell would fly to the capital Honiara this week. The accord, as well as the reopening of a US embassy, are scheduled to be discussed. US officials are expected to visit the country to pressure the island government to cancel the pact.

According to the BBC, security specialists believe the agreement demonstrates China's explicit goal in the region for the first time.

Australia's foreign minister, Marise Payne, expressed disappointment and concern about the lack of transparency in this agreement were negotiated, citing its potential to damage regional stability.