Australia's defence minister has ducked questions about the strategic consequences of the Solomon Islands switching allegiance from Taiwan to China.
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"It's a sovereign interest and a decision for them to make," Linda Reynolds told ABC radio on Friday.
"It's really not appropriate for an Australian minister to comment on their decision."
The United States is considering withdrawing funds from the Solomon Islands, which could devastate the Pacific nation's economy.
Senator Reynolds refused to say whether Australia was prepared to respond if that occurred, or whether the move could open up space for China.
The minister insisted the issues were solely for the Solomon Islands to work through.
"It would be highly inappropriate for me to speculate about what they, or any other country, may or may not do," she said.
"That is not an issue for an Australian minister for defence to speculate on, it is an issue for the Solomon Islands government."
Australian Associated Press
