Solomon Islands has suspended all visits from the United States Navy, the US embassy in Canberra said Tuesday,

heightening concerns over the growing influence of Beijing in the region.

“The United States received formal notification from the Government of
Solomon Islands regarding a moratorium on all naval visits, pending updates
in protocol procedures,” an embassy spokeswoman said in a statement.

It comes a week after a US coast guard vessel was blocked from refuelling in
the Solomons capital of Honiara.