Sharjah 24 – AFP: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged a calm response Thursday after the Solomon Islands' leader cited an "invasion" threat and said his nation was being treated like an infant wielding a handgun.

Morrison, who faces federal elections May 21, has been battling criticism of his government's foreign policy after the Pacific island nation signed a security pact with China last month.

The China deal raised alarm in Australia and the United States, which fear it may give Beijing a military foothold in the South Pacific less than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) from Australia's coast.

"We need to be calm and composed when we deal with these issues," Morrison told journalists Thursday.

The Australian leader said he was concerned for the security of the Solomons and the Pacific after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare signed the "secret arrangement" with Beijing.

Morrison insisted his government treated the Pacific "family" as an equal.

But Sogavare was irritated by US and Australian criticism of the deal.

"We deplore the continued demonstration of lack of trust by the concerned parties," Sogavare told parliament Tuesday, adding there was "nothing to be concerned about" with the pact.

Without naming countries, Sogavare said there had been a "warning of military intervention" if other countries' interests were undermined in the Solomons.

"In other words, Mr Speaker, we are threatened with invasion. And that is serious," the prime minister said.