Thread by @AndrewSErickson

"Under a secretive deal signed last month with a provincial government in the [#SolomonIslands], a Beijing-based company with close ties to the CCP has secured exclusive development rights for the entire island [of #Tulagi] & its surroundings."

nytimes.com/2019/10/16/wor…

"The island of #Tulagi served as a South Pacific headquarters for Britain then Japan, and during #WorldWarII, its natural deepwater harbor made it a military gem. Now, #China is moving in with plans to effectively take control."

nytimes.com/2019/10/16/wor…

"Even compared to previous #Chinese development deals in nearby countries — including a wharf in #Vanuatu, whose terms were not publicly released for years — the #Tulagi agreement is remarkable for both its scope and lack of public input."

nytimes.com/2019/10/16/wor…

"The renewable 75-year lease was granted to the China Sam Enterprise Group, a conglomerate founded in 1985 as a state-owned enterprise, according to corporate records."

nytimes.com/2019/10/16/wor…

"A copy of the '#strategic cooperation agreement,' obtained by @nytimes & verified by two people with knowledge of the deal, reveals both the immediate ambitions of #ChinaSam & the potential — just as in #Vanuatu — for infrastructure that could share civilian and #military uses."

@nytimes "Sept. 22...agreement includes provisions for a fishery base, an ops center & 'the building or enhancement of the airport.' Though there are no confirmed oil or gas reserves in the Solomons, the agreement also notes that #ChinaSam is interested in building an oil & gas terminal."

@nytimes "These are just the explicit possibilities. The document also states that the government will lease all of #Tulagi & the surrounding islands in the province for the development of 'a special economic zone or any other industry that is suitable for any development.'"

Sounds fishy