The Biden administration has threatened the Solomon Islands it will “respond accordingly” if China develops a military presence in the Pacific state. Last week the Solomon Islands signed a security deal with China, sparking criticism from the United States, Australia and New Zealand. On Friday, the Biden administration sent a delegation to meet the prime minister of the Solomon Islands. In a statement Friday, the White House said, “If steps are taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power-projection capabilities, or a military installation, the delegation noted that the United States would then have significant concerns and respond accordingly.” Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also said that a Chinese military base on Solomon Islands would be a “red line” for Australia.