Solomon Islands: Malaita province unhappy over presence of Australian troops, as Fiji joins peacekeeping efforts

• An aide to the premier of Malaita province – the source of protesters of last week’s riots – says the presence of Australian troops sends a ‘strong moral boost to PM Sogavare’, who in 2019 chose to recognise China instead of Taiwan
• Meanwhile, the Red Cross says food is becoming scarce in the crisis-hit nation and that the Chinese community is keeping a low profile after being targeted