Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare told the United Nations on Friday that his South Pacific country remains neutral despite growing ties with China, accusing him of being “slandered” over the relationship with Beijing.

The sprawling archipelago shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 2019 and signed a security pact with Beijing in April, with some critics warning of Sogavare’s authoritarian tendencies.

“We will not ally ourselves with any external powers or security architectures that target our or any other sovereign country or that threaten regional or international peace,” the prime minister told the UN General Assembly.

“The Solomons will not be forced to choose sides.”

He said his country of less than a million people had been unfairly attacked and subjected to “a barrage of unwarranted and misplaced criticism” while major powers vied for Pacific influence.

“The Solomon Islands have been slandered in the media ever since they formalized their ties with China,” he said.

Sogavare has deepened his country’s ties with China and earlier this month was successful in efforts to amend the constitution to postpone planned elections until 2024 at the earliest.

The four-time leader was ousted twice by no-confidence votes and faced street protests over his decision to change diplomatic recognition.

After widespread unrest in the capital, Honiara, and calls for his ouster last year, his government signed a secret defense pact with Beijing that – according to a leaked draft – allows him to call in Chinese security forces to quell unrest.

The UN’s Sogavare urged all countries “not to inflame tensions in or near the Taiwan Strait” amid growing concerns over Beijing’s claimed self-governing democracy.

“Any miscalculation could jeopardize international peace and security and have catastrophic consequences for world trade,” he said.