The draft deal between the Solomon Islands and China could formalize Beijing’s military presence in the Pacific nation Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has condemned China’s efforts to “intimidate” Australia with its recently announced draft security agreement with the Solomon Islands, which was leaked last week.

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The plan, which Tokyo and the UN say is safe, was criticized by some regional players amid public concerns Japan has begun the release of water from the site of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, proceeding with a plan that has sparked outcry across the region. Some of its neighbors are not convinced that the…