Four years after switching ties from Taiwan to Beijing, the Solomon Islands, and China signed a police cooperation deal on Monday, solidifying their bilateral relations. This agreement marks a significant milestone in their upgraded relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” The policing ‘implementation plan,’ which will be in effect until 2025, was among nine agreements signed on Monday after discussions between the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s First Official Visit to China
Sogavare made his inaugural visit to China on Sunday at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, marking his first official trip since striking a security agreement between the two nations in 2022. This pact raised concerns among the United States and neighbouring countries, including Australia. Sogavare’s visit to China is scheduled until July 15th.
According to the joint statement released by China and the Solomon Islands on Monday, “The two sides agreed that since the establishment of diplomatic ties four years ago, China-Solomon Islands relations have developed rapidly and remained at the forefront of relations between China and Pacific Island Countries, becoming an example of unity, cooperation, mutual support and mutual benefit between developing countries.”
The Solomon Islands PM also met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday afternoon, where Xi called both nations “trustworthy friends and reliable brothers.”
China’s Increased Police Training in the Solomon Islands
After the 2021 riots in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, China has increased its police training in the Pacific Island nation. In October 2022, a delegation of 34 Solomon Islands police officers, including a deputy and an assistant commissioner, travelled to China to undergo training and learn from the expertise of Chinese police. Since then, the Solomon Islands has shifted its dependence on policing assistance to China. Australia has been providing major policing support for the country until Sogavare came to power in 2019.
According to the statement, both nations expressed their commitment to strengthen collaboration in the areas of law enforcement and security. It was stated that China would provide necessary assistance and support to enhance the police and law enforcement capabilities of the Solomon Islands. Furthermore, both sides agreed to protect the safety, legal rights, and interests of their respective nationals and institutions within their countries.
Economic, Technical, and Infrastructural Assistance Offered by China
During the meeting, President Xi assured that investments would be made in companies based in the Solomon Islands. Additionally, he pledged to provide ongoing economic and technical support without any political conditions or obligations. Financed by a US$66m Chinese EXIM bank loan, the Chinese telecoms company Huawei is building a cellular network in the Solomon Islands. Also, a Chinese state company will redevelop the port in the capital Honiara.
Sogavare’s visit to China has helped both nations reach agreements in culture, education, health, sports, tourism, youth, think tanks, and the media. A deal on the “Sports Technical Assistance Project” was signed as Honiara is hosting the Pacific Games in November in a Chinese-constructed stadium. The two sides signed cooperation documents in development cooperation, trade, infrastructure development, civil aviation, education, police affairs, customs, and meteorology.
In a bid to enhance South-South cooperation with Pacific Island Countries, China reiterated its commitment to actively supporting implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent among these nations.
Sogavare will officially open the Solomon Islands embassy in China during his visit.
US Response to the Growing Cooperation
Image Source: The Guardian
Despite the increasing cooperation of the Pacific Island country threatening the US, the latter has not been critical of Sogavare’s official visit to China. Though the US said that it respects the ability of nations to make sovereign decisions, it has urged China and the Solomon Islands to release the texts of the agreement signed for transparency and to know about its impact on regional security.
The United States has tried increasing its presence there post the signing of the 2022 security pact between China and the Pacific Island nation and concerns over Beijing’s military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. To counter China, the US opened an embassy in the capital Honiara in February 2024 after a 30-year absence.
However, the successful visit of PM Sogavare is considered a step toward elevating China-Solomon Islands relations and building an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island Countries.
