Category: Honiara

Australia Speeds up Solomon Islands Project Amid Expanding Beijing Influence

January 30, 2023
AustraliaChinaChina-Australia RelationsDFATHoniaraInternationalInternational RelationsmilitaryNational SecuritySolomon IslandsThreat from Communist ChinaU.S. EmbassyUSUS NewsUS-China relationsWorld
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Following the U.S. decision to open an embassy in the Solomon Islands, Australia is speeding up the construction of a logistics centre and other projects to compete with Beijing for influence in the key strategic South Pacific nation. After cutting its 36-year-old diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2019, Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands,…

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Beijing to Help Expand Solomons Biggest Hospital Amid Influence Battle in South Pacific

May 4, 2022
Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaChina-Australia RelationsHoniaraInternationalInternational RelationsManasseh SogavareSolomon Islandssolomon islands-chinaSouth PacificUS-China relationsWorld
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In a sign of strong ongoing ties between Beijing and the Solomon Islands governments, officials from both countries have signed-off on the construction of a new medical centre at the National Referral Hospital in the capital Honiara. The hospital is the largest in the Pacific nation with 300 beds and 50 doctors with the new…

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Beijing-Solomons Security Deal a ‘Sword in Australia’s Back’: Opposition Leader

April 15, 2022
Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaChina-Australia RelationsHoniaraInternationalInternational RelationsManasseh SogavareMatthew WalemilitarySolomon Islandssolomon islands-chinaWorld
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The opposition leader of the Solomon Islands has called the national government’s security deal with Beijing unnecessary for pacifying internal and external threats—saying any civil unrest was sorely the fault of the national government. Matthew Wale said secrecy around the deal with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was an “escalation by Prime Minister (Manasseh) Sogavare…

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Beijing Wanted to Send Secret Security Force to Solomons During Riots Last Year: Report

April 12, 2022
Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaChina-Australia RelationsChinese EmbassyCollin BeckHoniaraInternationalInternational RelationsmilitarySolomon Islandssolomon islands-chinaSouth PacificWorld
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Beijing was ready to send heavy weaponry and security personnel to the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands last December to enhance “safety and security” following violent riots in the capital Honiara, which saw the Chinatown district razed. The letter from the Chinese diplomatic outpost to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals that…

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