The Solomon Islands, part of the ethnically Melanesian group of islands in the Pacific, is situated between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The British Empire initially controlled them during the colonial era, followed by Germany and Japan. Eventually, they were reclaimed by the U.K. after being seized by the Americans from the Japanese during World War II. The islands declared their independence in 1978, becoming a constitutional monarchy under the British Crown with a parliamentary system of government. Despite this, the country – a member of the Commonwealth – manages its affairs independently, with a governor-general appointed on the unicameral National Parliament’s advice.
A New Security Agreement
A recently leaked document has indicated that the Solomon Islands have entered into an agreement with China that entails an extraordinary level of security cooperation. This agreement is the first of its kind for China in the region. It remains unsigned, and it is unclear whether the provisions mentioned in the leaked document are present in the final draft. It allows China to dispatch its police, armed forces, military personnel, and other law enforcement to the islands, either at the request of the island’s government or if China perceives a risk to its projects and personnel on the islands. Furthermore, the agreement permits China’s naval vessels to utilize the islands for logistic support.
Why China is Interested in the Solomon Islands
There are a number of reasons behind China’s interest in the Solomon Islands. Firstly, the Pacific islands are one of the few places in the world where China faces competition from Taiwan for diplomatic recognition. In 2019, the Solomon Islands switched allegiance from Taiwan to China, reducing the number of regional countries supporting Taiwan. Secondly, these Pacific island nations can serve as potential vote banks for mobilising international support. Thirdly, these states boast disproportionally large maritime Exclusive Economic Zones relative to their small sizes. Solomon Island, in particular, has extensive reserves of timber, mineral resources, and fisheries. Lastly, the strategic significance of these islands allows China to position itself between America’s military bases in the Pacific islands and Australia.
Implications for Geopolitical Configuration in the Region
The proposed bilateral agreement between China and the Solomon Islands could have a significant impact on the region’s geopolitical configuration. All Pacific countries, including members of the Pacific Islands Forum such as Australia, have pledged to collectively address regional security challenges under the 2018 Boe Declaration. However, this new bilateral agreement undermines that sentiment and seems to overlook the security of the region as a whole. The U.S. has announced plans to open an embassy in Solomon Islands to increase its influence there before China becomes “strongly embedded”. China is challenging the established power structure in the region by gradually replacing Taiwan and cultivating economic and political clout. As these shifts occur, the geopolitics of the region are undergoing significant changes suggesting an intensification of regional great power rivalry and domestic volatility for the Pacific island states in the years ahead.
