A group of 32 police officers from the South Pacific nation of Solomon Islands has flown to China to train in policing techniques and improve their understanding of Chinese culture, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said in a statement.

Communist China has provided public order management training to police in the Solomon Islands since the two countries signed a security pact in April, an agreement that alarmed Australia, which traditionally provided policing support.

The 32 officers would visit different police stations in China during their month-long visit, the force said in the statement.

Last week, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has told Australia it remained the nation’s security partner of choice and denied the pact with Communist China would allow it to set up a military base.