The president of the Federated States of Micronesia, David Panuelo, has written a letter to his Solomon Islands counterpart, Manasseh Sogavare, urging him to abandon attempts to sign a security agreement with China.
He is the first Pacific Islands leader outside of Australia and New Zealand to speak out publicly on the controversy.
The letter posted online by Mr Panuelo's office says such an unprecedented security agreement between China and Solomon Islands poses a risk of increasing geopolitical tensions in the region.
Joining me is Giff Johnson our correspondent in the Marshall Islands.
Welkam baek moa lo Pacific Waves Giff, an interesting approach being taken here by president Panuelo, what are your intitial thoughts?
President David Panuelo walks into the Federated States of Micronesia's legislative chamber. Photo: FSM Government
