US Coast Guard cutter denied entry into Solomon Islands port sparking concerns of China’s growing influence

US Coast Guard cutter denied entry into Solomon Islands port sparking concerns of China’s growing influence

A United States Coast Guard cutter conducting patrols on an international mission in the Pacific Ocean was denied entry to a port in the Solomon Islands raising concerns about China’s growing influence in the area.

The cutter Oliver Henry was taking part in Operation Island Chief monitoring fishing activities in the Pacific, which ended Friday, when it sought to make a scheduled stop at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, to refuel and re-provision, the Coast Guard office in Honolulu said.

There was no response from the Solomon Islands’ government for diplomatic clearance for the vessel to stop there, however, so the Oliver Henry diverted to Papua New Guinea, the Coast Guard said.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-coast-guard-cutter-denied-entry-solomon-islands-port-sparking-concerns-chinas-growing-influence