Page 34 - Islands Business March 2022

Security Security

Solomon Islands police train with Chinese-issued replica guns. Photo: Solomon Islands Police

Responding to China Canberra.
China had offered to help redevelop Blackrock, but the The document was released by Malaitan Premier, Daniel
RFMF eventually went with Australia’s “holistic” offer, Chief Suidani, who has consistently and vehemently criticised
of Staff for co-ordination, Captain Eroni Duaibe saying at the Solomon Islands’ diplomatic shift from Taiwan to China in
time, “I think Australia played their cards right in terms of 2019, and who has mooted Malaitan succession from Solomon
tabling a holistic offer. [China was] asking us to do certain Islands.
parts of the development while they come in as a partner to The opposition also expressed concern about the deploy-
do other developments.” ment of Chinese police officers to train local authorities, and
The handover of the camp comes amid increased attention the use of replica rifles in that training, saying there should
on regional security issues. New Zealand Defence Minister, be more transparency around such assistance.
Peeni Henare visited Fiji this month and has pledged to assist Opposition leader Matthew Wale told Solomon Islands jour-
with development of a maritime security strategy. The United nalists: “If we have Chinese military assets here, for sure it
States’ Indo-Pacific policy was released in the days after U.S. will project Chinese force that has a direct implication for the
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Fiji. New rest of the region.”
Zealand’s foreign minister was in Fiji at the time of writing. In response, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Karen An-
The leaking of a draft document detailing the potential de- drews said any expansion of Chinese miliary activity would
ployment of Chinese forces to protect Chinese personnel and be concerning, continuing: “That is our backyard. This is our
assets in Solomon Islands, scope for Chinese ship stopovers (or neighbourhood, and we are very concerned of any activity
some fear, a Chinese naval base), has also inflamed concern in that is taking place in the Pacific Islands.”

34 Islands Business, March 2022