In what could be considered a highly topical issue, the persistence of the CCP to seek to build naval facilities so close to Australia raises serious concerns regarding the intentions of the Chinese government. The CCP wants to place pressure on Australia, a US partner in the Pacific in an attempt to fracture the relationship.

The Solomon Islands is the initial concern, this provides the logistical capability allowing the Chinese navy to blockade, or to launch an invasion of Australia. Surely, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Damukana Sogavare can see that this makes his country a target of Australian and allied weapons. The first target would be to shut down that logistical capability, that would likely be precision bombing by aircraft or a stand off missile strike.

Secondly, this is likely to be a spy base, so all communication hardware installed has a single purpose, to spy on Australia. This is likely to be immediately targeted by Australian military planners by ship based missiles and RAAF aircraft. This would require in air refuelling to make the distance, the F-35 is a capable jet for such a missile, although the twin engine F/A-18 Super Hornet is especially well suited for such a mission.

Then we have Timor-Leste directly to the north in the Indonesian archipelago, this provides a means for the Chinese navy to navigate through the Indonesian islands and locate themselves well within reach of Australian military facilities in the Northern Territory and the North West of Australia. Should China deploy missiles in Timor-Leste, Australian defences have reduced reaction times and military facilities are at risk. The Chinese are looking at port and naval facilities

Ok, so how would the allies counter such moves? Well, the Japanese Islands [Yonaguni, Taketomi, Ishigaki, Tarma, Irabu Island and Miyako Jima] would deter an assault on Taiwan. The islands in close proximity to Taiwan would be the ultimate bargaining tool, a dual US/Japanese military facility effectively locking the Chinese navy to the relatively shallow coastal waters of East China Sea would make Chinese military planners extremely nervous, with anti-ship missiles and anti-submarine capabilities stationed in the islands.

A Chinese base close to Australia is countered with a naval facility in the southern Japanese islands with not only anti-ship missiles and medium range missiles, this will prevent a naval blockade of Taiwan. Miyako Jima has a population of approximately 55,000 and is the most populated island in the region, Ishigaki has a population of approximately 47,000 people and Yonaguni just 108 km from Taiwan with a population of approximately 1600 people.

Lastly there is Papua New Guinea, the Chinese government is pushing hard to gain influence here. They are looking to influence government officials and seeking naval and port facilities and even seeking an island within close proximity to Australia. The island of Daru is just a short boat trip across the Torres Strait to Australia, Cape York in the north of Queensland is 194 km. Whilst this is a small island, they are after fishing rights with an industrial fishing park and seek to build a city with industrial and business centre, sea port, and residential area that may include a resort.