Solomon Islands incident sends out a salient message
- Violence that has gripped the islands’ capital underlines how foreign players may have a destabilising effect, especially when failing to understand or consider social and political undercurrents
Beijing’s whittling away of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to further the island’s international isolation has been highly successful.
Since Tsai Ing-wen became the Taiwanese leader five years ago, seven countries have switched ties.
But the strategy is not as simple as coaxing and enticing, as unrest that has targeted Chinese businesses in the Solomon Islands shows.
China needs to be mindful that relations also require sustained interaction and cooperation.
The Solomons shifted formal diplomatic recognition of China from Taipei to Beijing in 2019 under current prime minister Manasseh Sogavare. But the nation’s most populous province, Malaita, objected to the switch and continues to get aid from Taiwan and, last year, also received US$25 million in support from the United States.
Beijing condemns Solomon Islands violence and attacks on Chinese businesses
Many of the protesters besieging Honiara this week calling for the leader’s resignation are from the region, their grievances including a lack of government services, accountability, alleged corruption and Chinese firms giving jobs to foreigners rather than locals.
Parts of the city hit by looting and arson included the parliament building, police stations and Chinatown.
None of the 3,000 Chinese living in the country are believed to have been hurt, but there are reports more than 100 want to leave.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman expressed support for Sogavare and his efforts to restore order and stability, saying both sides had benefited economically and through other cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
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Solomon Islands riot sets Chinatown ablaze in capital Honiara as protests turn violent
Sogavare, who requested military and police help from Australia under a bilateral security treaty agreed in 2017, said he stood by his decision to embrace Beijing. He claimed foreign interference was behind the anti-government protests.
The actions of foreign players trying to influence regional governments can have a destabilising effect, especially when done without understanding or considering social and political undercurrents.
Malaita’s relative lack of development compared to Honiara and its surrounding area highlights a perceived uneven distribution of economic development in the country, seen as being at the root of decades-old internal conflict.
Such matters need to be considered by Beijing as it strengthens its international links.
