Solomon Islands
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Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is a nation composed of hundreds of islands in the South Pacific. In 2022, it signed a security pact with China, causing uproar among some of its neighbours, including Australia, and concern for countries such as the US that have strategic interests in the area.
Capital
Honiara
Head of State
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele
Royal Solomon Islands Police Force officers train with a Chinese police liaison team in 2022. Photo: RSIPF/AFP
Pacific nations

Solomon Islands’ defence force dream: an Australia-China flashpoint?

A military force would help quell unrest, but some say relying on Beijing for arms may make the Pacific nation an ‘enemy state’ of the West.

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China-Australia relations

Call for ‘Pacific Eyes’ intelligence body to offset China’s growing presence

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New Zealand

New Zealand calls on US to counter China’s Pacific mineral push

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China’s Communist Party

AI-enhanced bodycams among advanced police gear China shows developing nations

At 3-day forum, officials from nations such as Belarus, DRC, Nicaragua and Ethiopia meet China’s minister for public security.

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Chinese organisers invited more than 800 guests and law enforcement officials from 176 countries and regions and 14 international organisations to a forum where China displayed advanced policing and security equipment. Photo: CCTV
Pacific nations

Pacific Islands leaders call for ‘ocean of peace’ but face rough seas at summit

The Pacific Islands Forum has been clouded by allegations that host Solomon Islands did not invite Taiwan to please its close backer.

Pacific nations

Controversy as Solomon Islands freezes out all Pacific Islands Forum partners

Observers say the ‘pragmatic compromise’ aims to create space for Pacific-only dialogue and stop geopolitics from tearing the PIF apart.

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Pacific nations

A drop in the ocean? Pacific nations tap local know-how for marine conservation

Among the measures being taken are a ban on fishing and mining activities in vast marine protected areas.

Children take a canoe to school in Solomon Islands. Pacific island nations have stepped up their marine conservation plans. Photo: Shutterstock
Pacific nations

Most Pacific island women don’t work. The World Bank wants to change that

Outdated laws and social norms keep 57 per cent of working-age women across the Pacific out of the labour force, the bank says.

Pacific nations

Pacific island nations see a US pullback – will China step up?

The Pacific Islands Forum wants answers from Washington over its unmet financial pledges to the region, including US$200 million in funding.

New Zealand

Letters | Why China conducted naval drills in waters between Australia and New Zealand

Readers discuss Beijing’s maritime strategy, the US’ global influence, and the rise of China’s creative industry.

Sailors onboard the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Arunta look at the People’s Liberation Army-Navy Fuchi-class replenishment vessel and Weishanhu Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang in the Tasman Sea on February 13.Photo: Australian Defence Force/AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | New Zealand need not fear China’s growing ties with Pacific nations

Rather than falling victim to zero-sum illusions, the West must embrace the multiplex nature of Pacific diplomacy.

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Cook Islands’ Prime Minister Mark Brown visits the National Deep Sea Centre in Qingdao, China in this picture released on February 12, 2025. Photo: Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands / Facebook via Reuters
Diplomacy

Why China may face ‘scrutiny’ over police diplomacy in developing world

From freeing scam centre victims to sharing police techniques, China is looking to expand its influence and protect citizens overseas.

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Pacific nations

Miss Pacific Islands hit by fraud row after Samoa beauty queen wins title

Pageant judges stopped from leaving the host nation, Solomon Islands, as police investigate fraudulent activities at the event.

US-China relations

Don’t push Pacific Islands to choose between China and the West, UK admiral says

A Royal Navy admiral warns that Beijing’s global maritime dominance means China holds vast influence over the countries.

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Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a deal in 2022 which raised concerns with Australia and the US. Now a UK admiral has warned over China’s influence with Pacific Island nations. Photo: Xinhua
Australia

Is Australia taking myopic approach in wooing Pacific nations to counter China?

Australia has signed deals with the Solomon Islands, Nauru and Papua New Guinea in moves seen as securing its clout as the Pacific leader.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands in Beijing on July 12. Photo: Xinhua
Australia

Australia strikes US$118 million policing deal with China-friendly Solomons

Australian PM Albanese called the pact a ‘new foundation’ for Canberra’s security ties with Honiara as Beijing’s clout in the Pacific grows.

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US-China relations

As No 2 US envoy ends Pacific tour, Beijing scores a diplomatic win on Taiwan

After Beijing envoy demands ‘correction’, Pacific Islands Forum scraps Taiwan reference from its annual summit’s final communique.

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Pacific nations

Australia urged to cut fossil fuels as Pacific backs landmark policing plan

Activists say better leadership must come from Australia, accused of ‘climate fraud’ over its continued expansion of gas and coal projects.

A washed-up shipwreck on the shoreline on the outskirts of Honiara, capital city of the Solomon Islands. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday of the “grave danger” rising sea levels posed to the Pacific islands. Photo: AFP
Pacific nations

Australia pushes Pacific police force proposal to check China’s ambitions

Pacific leaders endorsed on Wednesday a plan creating a 200-officer police force to address security challenges and limit China’s reach.

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Diplomacy

China vows to help Fiji tackle climate change in push for greater Pacific role

President Xi Jinping made the pledge along with promises of economic support in a meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka

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Pacific nations

Kiribati’s pro-China government faces election test

The nation of roughly 120,000 residents switched ties from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, and is considered strategic despite being small, because it is relatively close to the US state of Hawaii.

The remote Pacific Island nation of Kiribati holds a national election on Wednesday, at which major issues for voters are the government’s close ties to China and a softer stance on global climate advocacy. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

As China’s sway over Pacific islands grows, will Japan counter by aiding Palau?

Analysts think Tokyo will answer the island nation’s appeal for help monitoring Chinese vessels, as it has done so with others in the region.

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Chinese research ships have repeatedly been sighted operating in marine zones claimed by Palau. Photo: Shutterstock
Pacific nations

Solomon Islands props up budget with China’s US$20 million injection

The Pacific nation’s PM announced the funding after talks with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, hailing China’s ‘transformative’ presence.

Pacific nations

Solomon Islands ‘locks in’ China ties with another pro-Beijing prime minister

New prime minister Jeremiah Manele is expected to apply a “lighter touch” to ties with Beijing given the demand for greater transparency.

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Pacific nations

‘Geopolitics is at play’: Solomons’ pro-China PM not standing for new term

Solomon Islands incumbent PM Manasseh Sogavare said he would not be a candidate when lawmakers vote next week for a new prime minister, and his political party would instead back ex-Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele.

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Solomon Islands’ incumbent pro-China prime minister Manasseh Sogavare said Monday he will not stand for a new term. Photo: AP
Pacific nations

Solomon Islands’ pro-China PM fails to secure outright majority

Manasseh Sogavare’s Our Party has won 12 seats with six contests still in play, well short of a majority in the 50-seat parliament.

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Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Manasseh. His party has won 12 seats with six contests still in play, well short of a majority in the 50-seat parliament. Photo: Reuters
Pacific nations

‘Calling for change’: will Solomon Islands lean closer to China after its polls?

Geopolitics looms large over the polls in Solomon Islands, where Beijing and Washington have been vying for influence for years. But for voters just struggling to make ends meet, Wednesday’s election may be decided by issues much closer to home.

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Pacific nations

Solomon Islands opposition figure sounds alarm on China meddling in elections

A torrent of Chinese aid and investment has flowed into the Pacific nation during Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s five years at the helm. He seeks re-election this week.

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