Solomon Islands leader hits back at criticism of expanding security ties with China

The leader of the Solomon Islands on Monday hit back at criticism of his country’s extensive security ties with China, saying the US and Australia had nothing to fear. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the remarks at a press conference in the capital Honiara after returning from a trip to China. He met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials during the visit. Sogaware said that while in China, he signed nine agreements and memorandums of understanding, including a police cooperation plan. He said the plan “enhances cooperation on law enforcement and security matters with China’s commitment to provide assistance as needed” to strengthen police law enforcement capacity in the Pacific nation.

The new agreements come after the Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China last year, raising fears of a military build-up in the region. The US has retaliated through its own diplomatic steps, including the opening of an embassy in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands switched allegiance from self-ruled island Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, threatening close ties with the US dating back to World War II. Both the US and Australia have raised concerns about the secrecy of the new police plan. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters she asked about the plan when she met Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, in Jakarta last week.

At the press conference, Sogaware criticized the police plan and accused the US and Australia of not behaving like neighbours. “This is nothing but the interference of foreign nations in the internal affairs of the Solomon Islands,” Sogavare said. He said, “Australia and the US should not be afraid of China’s police cooperation on the Solomon Islands.

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