Solomon Islands may lead way as China eyes greater South Pacific role
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The South Pacific could provide a “new focus” for China’s Belt and Road Initiative after this week’s visit by the Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, according to diplomatic observers. Sogavare met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, and the two leaders pledged to establish a “comprehensive strategic partnership” and form “greater synergy” between the transcontinental infrastructure project and the islands’ 2035 development strategy. “Although our friendship arrived belatedly, it is leading the way in relations between China and the Pacific Islands,” Xi told Sogavare. Last year the Solomon Islands government was criticised by the United States for signing a secretive security pact with China. Neither of the governments has released a full version of the agreement, but China has offered increased police training and equipment to the Solomons since then. Australia, the island’s traditional police force partner, also reacted by stepping up police supplies and has urged the island government to renew its own security treaty. This week, Sogavare signed a raft of deals with Premier Li Qiang, covering development, trade, infrastructure, and policing – allowing China to maintain a police presence in the Solomon Islands for another three years. He also invited the Chinese leaders for a return visit “at an early date”. Australian defence minister in Solomon Islands for security talks “This is part of China’s post-Covid diplomatic offensive,” said Zhu Zhiqun, an international relations professor at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. “While Beijing is trying to mend ties with Western powers, its focus has been on consolidating relations with developing nations, where China enjoys more support than in the developed world.” Zhu added: “I think the South Pacific is a new focus of the [Belt and Road Initiative] with great potential for cooperation. The BRI already has footprints in other developing regions.” Sogavare arrived on Sunday for a week-long visit which will see him visit Beijing and provinces of…