Sydney: China will send police officers to the Solomon Islands to help train their police, the Pacific Island nation said on Thursday, after last month’s riots were triggered by the 2019 diplomatic relations switch from Taiwan.
The riots, in which dozens of buildings were burned after the decision by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogaavare to launch relationships with China triggered a dispute between the national and the most populous provinces, Malaita.
Other domestic problems also cause dissatisfaction.
Six Chinese police connecting officers will complete and train the Solomon Kingdom Islands Islands Police, a statement from the Solomon Islands which the government said.
Chinese equipment includes shields, helmets, sticks and “other non-deadly gears that will further increase the capabilities of the Solomon Islands Police in the face of future threats,” said the statement.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press conference in Beijing: “China strongly supports the Solomon Islands government in maintaining domestic stability, bilateral bonds and rights and the interests of Chinese citizens in the Solomon Islands.” Sogavare has blamed the “Taiwanese agents” in the province of Malaita for protests, where dozens of buildings were burned in the Chinatown district in Honiara and shops looted, after the Prime Minister refused to talk to the protesters.
Taiwan has denied involvement in riots.
China claims Taiwan island democratically ruled as its own territory and has increased military and diplomatic pressure to emphasize its sovereignty claims, triggering anger in Taipei and deep concerns in the United States.
To fight China’s growing interest in the Indo-Pacific region, Australia has increased its presence in the Pacific through the membership of the “Quad” group, along with the United States, India and Japan.
“We are aware of China’s expected involvement in the security sector in Honiara.
This is a problem for the Solomon Islands government,” Australian State Department spokesman said in the email response.
About 200 police officers and soldiers from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea arrived at Solomons Capital Honiara in a few days from the riots, at the request of Souvare.
Some Australian soldiers who had been deployed in Honiara began returning home on Thursday.
Australia has bilateral security agreements with the Solomon Islands.
Australian police were previously deployed in 2003 under the mission of regional peacekeepers and stayed for a decade.