China and the Solomon Islands have signed a security agreement thought to allow for the dispatch of Chinese troops to the archipelago and for Chinese ships to make port calls in the country. This could lead to a Chinese military presence in the South Pacific.
The Solomon Islands, located 2,000 km northeast of Australia, are a key transportation hub for U.S. and Japanese vessels. The island of Guadalcanal -- home to the nation's capital, Honiara -- is famous as the site of a fierce World War II battle.
