China–Solomon Islands relations

The Solomon Islands and China (PRC) established official diplomatic relations in 2019. Prior to this, the Solomon Islands had diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

China–Solomon Islands relations

China
Solomon Islands

The current ambassador of China to the Solomon Islands is Li Ming.[1] The ambassador of the Solomon Islands to China is John Moffat Fugui.[2]

History

The Solomon Islands became an independent country from the United Kingdom in 1978. In 1983, it established diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC). In 2019, Manasseh Sogavare was elected as prime minister of the Solomon Islands and he followed a policy of switching diplomatic relations from ROC to the People's Republic of China. The Guardian reported that Solomon Islands MPs claimed China had offered huge amounts of money in bribes to support the change.[3]

In April 2022, both countries signed a pact on security cooperation.[4]

Activities

The entire island of Tulagi was reportedly part of a deal to allow it to be leased to China, including for military affairs, however, the deal was ruled illegal and did not carry through.[5]

A draft report of a possible security agreement between the Solomon Islands and China was revealed in the press in 2022. It included allowing the Chinese military to have personnel on the islands, in order to protect Chinese nationals and Chinese projects, as well as allowing Chinese warships to visit the islands for berthing and resupplying. [6] The Australian government, being both a neighbour of the Solomon Islands and a strategic rival to China, voiced great concern over this development.[7] Particularly, Australia and some of its allies were concerned that this might be the start of permanent Chinese military bases being placed near Australia.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Ambassador's Biography". Embassy of the PRC to the Solomon Islands. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  2. "Solomon Islands Assigns First Ambassador to China". Solomon Times. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  3. Cavanough, Edward (7 December 2019). "China and Taiwan offered us huge bribes, say Solomon Islands MPs". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  4. "Solomon Islands signs China pact, defying Australia". Taipei Times. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  5. Cave, Damien (24 October 2022). "Chinese Lease of Entire Island Is Deemed Illegal in Solomons". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  6. "所罗门群岛计划和中国展开安全合作 引发澳大利亚紧张关注" [Solomon Islands plan for security cooperation with China raises tension in Australia]. BBC News (in Chinese). 25 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  7. McKeith, Sam. "'Great concern' over China-Solomon Islands deal: Australia PM". MSN. Reuters. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  8. McCarthy, Simone; Yee, Lizzy (25 March 2022). "Solomon Islands reassures Australia as it works on China security deal". MSN. CNN. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
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