China is reportedly pushing for more security pacts with Pacific Island nations after its agreement with the Solomon Islands.
Beijing and the Solomons signed the deal last month, raising concerns in New Zealand and Australia about growing Chinese influence in a region traditionally under their sway.
A draft version of the deal leaked in March suggested a Chinese naval base could be established in the Solomon Islands, raising concern about the Pacific being militarised.
The pact shocked both New Zealand and Australia's governments, with NZ PM Jacinda Ardern saying there was "no need" for the deal.
Nearly two months later, reports are emerging China is now discussing security pacts with Kiribati.
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"They are in talks with Kiribati and at least one more Pacific island country over an agreement that would cover much of the same ground as that with Solomon Islands," said an unnamed intelligence representative from an ally of the US.
"They've had on-and-off discussions on this, not just for months but for years," the official told the Financial Times.
According to the official, China wanted to set up "strategic perches" in Pacific Island countries.
The security deals were being taken "very seriously" by the United States, an unnamed US state department representative told the FT. Kiribati foreign affairs secretary Michael Foon rejected claims it was discussing security agreements "with any partner", the UK newspaper reported.
Earlier this month, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta described the China-Solomons security agreement as a "relationship failure".
