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April 27, 2022

U.S. Refuses to Rule Out Military Action in Dispute with China over Solomon Islands
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Tension is continuing to escalate over the Solomon Islands after the
Pacific island nation signed a security deal with China. On Tuesday, a
high-ranking U.S. diplomat refused to rule out the U.S. taking military
action against the Solomon Islands if China established a military
presence on the islands. During a press briefing, the State Department
official, Daniel Kritenbrink, said the U.S. respects the Solomon
Islands' sovereignty, but warned against China's presence in the region,
saying the United States would "very naturally respond to those
concerns." By some counts, the U.S. operates over 800 military bases
around the world. China opened its first overseas base just four years
ago in the African nation of Djibouti.


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