There is an increasing rapprochement between the Solomon Islands and China in the Asia-Pacific Region. As a matter of fact, both states are developing positive relations and furthering their cooperation. In this context, it was seen that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare held a meeting on 10 July 2023 and made an announcement that they called “comprehensive strategic partnership” at this meeting.[1]
The meeting in question took place in Beijing and Sogavare also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang before Xi.[2] As a matter of fact, after the meeting in question, positive messages came from both Sogavare and Li, and both sides expressed their desire to increase cooperation.[3]
On July 11, 2023, the Embassy of the Solomon Islands was opened in Beijing. It is very important that this embassy was opened four years after the two states officially started diplomatic relations, right after the meeting in question.[4]
In addition to all this, it is worth noting that the Solomon Islands are one of the earliest states to[5] join the Belt and Road Initiative, just six months after starting diplomatic contacts with China. Moreover, a security agreement was signed between Beijing and Honiara in April 2022.[6]
In this context, it can be said that the struggle with the United States of America (USA) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pushed China to seek new alliances, and at this point, the Solomon Islands, with which it already has good relations, come to the fore.
On the other hand, it can be argued that the cooperation and alliances that China has implemented disturb the pro-Western actors in the region. For example, Australia requested the parties to the agreement signed in Beijing on 11 July 2023 to explain the details of the agreement and to ensure the transparency of its intentions towards the region.[7]
It is known that Australia is one of the important allies of the USA and NATO. Because it is included both in the AUKUS Pact formed by the partnership of the USA, the UK and Australia, in the Quadruple Security Dialogue (QUAD) implemented by the USA, India, Japan and Australia, and in the ANZUS Agreement established with the cooperation of Australia, New Zealand and the USA. The Canberra administration is a critical actor for the West. Because in all three Western-based formations established in the Asia-Pacific Region, Australia is the only unchanging actor that takes place with the USA.
In a statement on the subject, the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they are concerned that this development will invite more regional competition. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong used the following statements:[8]
“The Solomon Islands and China should publish the agreement immediately, ensuring transparency of their intentions towards Australia and the region. So the Pacific family can collectively assess the impact on our shared security.”
As a result, it can be argued that a Sino-Solomon Islands rapprochement that took place in the Asia-Pacific disturbed Australia, one of the most important regional allies of the USA and NATO and caused security-based concerns in the Canberra Administration. However, it can be claimed that Australia is also involved in many Western-based pacts, which deepens the security dilemma in the region. For this reason, the tensions between the parties will not decrease in the short term; On the contrary, it can be stated that the polarization in the Asia-Pacific will increase even more.
[1] “China, Solomon Islands Elevate ‘Strategic’ Ties”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/10/china-solomon-islands-elevate-strategic-ties, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
[2] “China, Solomon Islands Ink Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to Upgrade Ties”, China Global Television Network, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-07-10/Xi-meets-with-Solomon-Islands-PM-Manasseh-Sogavare-1lkcndnfqiA/index.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
[3] “Xi Meets Sogavare, Urging Enhanced China-Solomon Islands Cooperation”, Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/20230711/58f81aeac3204031aa927a687c467668/c.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
[4] “Solomon Islands Officially Opens Embassy in Beijing, ‘A Big Milestone’ to Further Enhance Relations Between Countries and People”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294157.shtml (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
[5] “Solomon Islands Joins China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as Leaders Meet in Beijing”, Australia Broadcasting Corporation, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-10/solomon-islands-joins-chinas-belt-and-road-as-leaders-meet/11590068, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
[6] “China-Solomon Islands Security Agreement and Competition for Influence in Oceania”, George Journal of International Affairs, https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2022/12/02/china-solomon-islands-security-agreement-and-competition-for-influence-in-oceania/, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
[7] “Australia ‘Concerned’ by China-Solomon Islands Policing Deal”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/11/australia-concerned-by-china-solomon-islands-policing-deal, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
[8] “Australia Calls on China, Solomon Islands to ‘Immediately’ Publish New Policing Deal, as Sogavare Praises ‘Visionary’ Xi”, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-11/australia-says-china-solomon-islands-must-publish-policing-deal/102589210, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.07.2023).
