The Solomon Islands government did not respond to a US request for permission for a Coast Guard vessel, conducting a patrol to prevent illegal fishing, to refuel and re-provision on a scheduled port call, AP has reported, noting that the incident comes amid concern about the island nation’s signing of a security pact with China.
Unable to get clearance, the vessel diverted to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea after taking part in Operation Island Chief, which monitors fishing activities in the Pacific and ended on Friday, the report said, adding that a Coast Guard official sought to play down the incident.
Read the full report: AP News.
NOTE: This report was amended on August 30, 2022 to remove additional details from other sources.
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