The extended Australian police presence comes after the Solomon Islands upgraded ties with China, signing a policing agreement in July. Australia, New Zealand and the United States are concerned Chinese police could dislodge a long-standing security arrangement Canberra has with the Pacific Islands nation. The Solomon Islands said on Friday it had invited Australia to extend the police presence, originally due to end in December. Australia was the Pacific Islands nation's "primary security partner", a spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement on Sunday. The Solomon Islands last year signed a security pact with China, raising concern in Canberra and Washington about Beijing's naval ambitions.

---

Persons: Manasseh Sogavare, Kirsty Needham, William Mallard Organizations: Pacific Games, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Australian, Solomon, Solomon Islands Government, Solomons International Assistance Force, Thomson Locations: Australia, Solomon Islands, Solomon, China, New Zealand, United States, Canberra, Fiji , New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomons, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington