U.S. and Australian efforts to out-compete Beijing in winning over the Solomon Islands look to be on the ropes after the most-populous Malaita Province pledged to axe the Auki Communique, a bulwark against Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interference in the region.
New Premier Martin Fini is considering removing the document after his government wrested power from former premier—and staunch critic of Beijing—Daniel Suidani, who was swept from office in a contentious no-confidence vote.
“Yes, the removal of the Auki Communique is on the agenda. That document serves no useful purpose except to lock up Malaita and its resources from beneficial economic development through investment,” said a government insider in an interview with the pro-national government newspaper, the Solomon Star, on Feb. 17….