China Criticises Australia On Solomon Isls. Ahead Of Federal Election

Bloomberg carrying comments from Chinese gov't spox criticising Australia over its comments regarding the prospect of a Chinese military base being established on the Solomon Islands.

• Spox: 'Australia should stop 'lording it over' Pacific Islands.
• Spox: 'China-Solomon Islands security pact targets no third parties'.
• Spox: 'Talks of a Chinese base in Solomons is disinformation'.
• Spox: 'Australia should reflect on its own actions, change course'.
• The heightened tensions between Beijing and Canberra come amidst the Australia federal election campaign, with PM Scott Morrison fighting to retain power amidst poor opinion polling.
• During a debate on 8 May, Morrison stated that a Chinese base on the Solomons would be crossing 'a red line' and that “Australia would work with partners to ensure that that type of an outcome would be prevented.”