The US and its allies pledged to develop a deep-water port in Malaita province in the Solomon Islands in an effort to prevent Chinese influence.

The US will build a seaport and support the development of Bina port infrastructure, west of Malaita island, Daniel Suidani, governor of Malaita province of the Solomon Islands, said today. "We have asked the US and Australia to be part of Malaita's security, so they can keep an eye on Chinese investors," Suidani said.

Malaita is a large island in the Solomon Islands, with more than 650,000 inhabitants, accounting for a quarter of the island nation's population. The province is considered to be an important political and geographic region of the Pacific island nation.

Solomon recently made a major change in foreign policy by announcing a cut of relations with the island of Taiwan and establishing diplomatic relations with China on September 16.

However, the governor of Suidani said Malaita did not acknowledge the change in diplomatic relations and wanted the US and its regional allies, including Australia, to push back real estate development or fishing projects. Illegal in his waters.

The extent of US cooperation and financial contribution to Malaita Island is being discussed. The US Ambassador Offices in Papua New Guinea, Solomon and Vanuatu stated that Malaita and Solomon would also benefit from US assistance in transport infrastructure investment.

Malaita emerged as an important ally of Washington as the remaining provinces of Solomon Island became closer to Beijing. The United States has also recently increased its commitment to Solomon, including the decision to re-establish the presence of the US government's voluntary Peace Corps in the archipelago after nearly 20 years of absence.

Location of the Solomon Islands in the Pacific. Graphics: NBC News.

In a statement sent to Reuters, China's Foreign Ministry said the country always upholds the principle of cooperation, mutual benefit, openness and sustainability with Pacific Island nations. "China does not object to bilateral relations and normal development cooperation between countries," the statement said.

China Sam Group of China in September signed an agreement with the Central Province of Solomon to lease and develop infrastructure on Tulagi island and some surrounding islands. However, the Solomon Island government later declared the agreement invalid and needed to be canceled.