Solomon Islands police officers fly to China for training

A group of 32 officers would visit different police stations in China during their month-long visit

The US, seeking to counter Beijing’s rising influence in the region, has said it would send FBI law enforcement trainers to Honiara this year

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China has provided public order management training to police in the Solomon Islands since the two countries signed a security pact in April. File photo: RSIPF/AFP

Published: 3:13pm, 12 Oct 2022

A group of 32 police officers from the South Pacific nation of Solomon Islands has flown to China to train in policing techniques and improve their understanding of Chinese culture, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said in a statement.

China has provided public order management training to police in the Solomon Islands since the two countries signed a security pact in April, an agreement that alarmed the United States and its allies including Australia, which traditionally provided policing support.

The 32 officers would visit different police stations in China during their month-long visit, the force said in the statement.

At a White House summit with Pacific island leaders last month, the US, seeking to counter China’s rising influence in the strategically important region, said it would send FBI law enforcement trainers to the Solomon Islands this year.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has previously told Australia it remained the nation’s security partner of choice and denied the pact with China would allow it to set up a military base.