On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister (FM) Wang Yi landed in Honiara to begin his eight-nation tour of the Pacific island region as he seeks to gather support for new security deals.
In fact, the Solomon Islands, the first stop on his trip from May 26 to June 4, signed an agreement in March that could allow China to deploy navy warships to the region as well as station armed police and military in the country.
Wang was received by his counterpart Jeremiah Manele, following which the Chinese foreign ministry released a statement saying that China will “always, firmly support Solomon Islands in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, maintaining domestic solidarity and unity, and accelerating the development and revitalization of the country.”
Manele, meanwhile, promised that the country would “always firmly adhere to the ‘One China’ principle and firmly support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He hailed China’s role as a “close friend and important development partner” that has played a critical role in improving livelihoods and generating jobs.
The pair agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and fishery, timber, minerals, health and pandemic response, disaster mitigation and relief.
Absurd restrictions on Solomon Islands media covering Wang Yi's visit tomorrow. The Foreign Minister will only take a question from CCTV, not from the local press. Solomon Islands media now boycotting the trip https://t.co/FgQEwP7CVd
— Stephen Dziedzic (@stephendziedzic) May 25, 2022
The two then held a joint press conference, during which Wang emphasised that the recently-signed security deal is designed to help the country “impose its policing and law enforcement capabilities” and “safeguard its social security” and that of Chinese citizens residing there.
In this respect, he outlined the three principles of the arrangement: respecting the Solomon Islands’ sovereignty and independence; maintaining “social stability” and providing humanitarian and natural disaster relief; jointly confronting “regional security challenges.”
He underscored that China has no intent to establish a military base in the country and hit out at Western criticism of their deal, saying both countries are “sovereign and independent states and are not anyone’s “backyard.” He thus warned: “Any smears and attacks on China-Solomon Islands normal security cooperation will be a dead end and any interference and sabotage will be doomed to failure.”
China and the Solomon Islands reached a series of important consensuses, including zero-tariff treatment on 98% of taxable items Solomon Islands exports to China and mutual visa exemption agreement, FM Wang Yi said Thur at the press meeting w/ Solomon Islands FM Jeremiah Manele. pic.twitter.com/Yz3XuvXQFc
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) May 27, 2022
These points were echoed by foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin in his press conference yesterday, wherein he said China will help the country “fully tap its resources advantages and development potential” in line with President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative.
Following his exchange with Manele, Wang met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who thanked China for its “strong support and great help for the Solomon Islands’ development.”
Like Manele, Sogavare, too, emphasised his country’s support for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and vowed to defend the ‘One China’ policy.
Sogavare called China a “largest infrastructure partner” and “reliable development partner” of the Solomon Islands and thanked the latter for providing aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and sending police supplies and advisors to maintain peace and stability following riots in the capital.
Machine translation of Wang Yi’s joint statement with Solomon’s FM Manele, as reported in China. Chinese pledges to build stadiums/hospitals/strategic links, climate change mitigation. Point 8 opposes ‘bullying and coercion’ - a likely backhanded reference to Australia pic.twitter.com/rWXVc53b6f
— Bill Birtles (@billbirtles) May 27, 2022
Wang, meanwhile, hailed the “steady and rapid development” of bilateral ties, which he said are in the “long-term interests” of the Islands’ citizens. He vowed to help the country achieve the goals listed under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development.
The pair also attended the signing ceremony of a number of agreements on the Blue economy, tariffs, health and anti-pandemic measures, civil aviation, and disaster prevention and mitigation.
On the same day, Wang Yi also held talks with Acting Governor-General John Patteson Oti, wherein he affirmed his opposition to “all forms of power politics and bullying.”
Its a tough call to make regarding the media boycott for the 🇸🇧🇨🇳press event on Thursday. Our protest is for our govt to see our disappointment. They have failed us & they failed to protect #democracy This is democratic 🇸🇧 🎥Convoy of Chinese officials in #Honiara tonight. pic.twitter.com/ldYpL3PNIW
— Georgina Kekea (@ginakekea) May 25, 2022
These comments were a reference to the backlash China’s security deal with the Solomon Islands has received from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Sogavare has insisted that he will not allow China to build a military base in the country, but this has done little to assuage the concerns of Western nations.
In fact, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Fiji yesterday at the same time as Wang’s visit to the Solomon Islands. She stressed that is “a partner that doesn’t come with strings attached” and won’t “impose unsustainable financial burdens.”
Leaked documents indicate that China is seeking a region-wide security arrangement with other at least 10 other Pacific Island nations. A draft communiqué obtained by Reuters states: “China will hold intermediate and high-level police training for Pacific Island Countries through bilateral and multilateral means.” Furthermore, it envisages a ministerial dialogue on law enforcement capacity and police cooperation later this year, wherein China would provide forensic laboratories.
The draft also touches on cooperation on data networks, cyber security, climate change, health, and an unspecified smart customs system.
It also proposes a deal to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to enter the Pacific market and build a 5G network. Huawei has been banned by several Western countries, including the United States (US), the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, over national security concerns.
Wang is set to host a foreign ministers’ summit in Fiji on May 30. During his South Pacific tour. During his tour, he will visit eight Pacific countries: the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea. He will also hold virtual meetings with the Cook Islands, Niue, and the Federated States of Micronesia.