A look at two island nations – one with optimism, one with concern

The second nation I am looking at, the Solomon Islands, is much closer to Australia, and much more strategically important than Samoa. It is located close to Papua New Guinea, and but a short sea journey from the PNG Province of Bougainville which in 2019 voted overwhelmingly to break away from Papua New Guinea.

The Solomon Islands has a population of around 660,000. The recent federal budget allocated $161 million in assistance, econd only to the $600 million we provide Papua New Guinea.

The Solomon Islands, unlike Papua New Guinea, has limited historic connections with Australia. Until it achieved independence in 1978 it was a British colony. The main historic links with Australia, and significantly with the United States, relate to the Second World War where fighting to repel the Japanese advance was intense, and ultimately success.

But Australia has enjoyed sound relations with the country since it achieved independence. This peaked in 2003 when the Howard Government responded positively to a request from The Solomons Government to help put down a dangerous insurgency – lawlessness and ethnic fighting. The country had slipped into a very dangerous position that threatened regional stability.

The Australian-led RAMSI mission ought to be regarded as one of our most successful activities within our region since our neighbours gained independence, principally in the 1970's. It was a costly exercise, but a fine example of regional co-operation for the common good.

The Solomon Islands was aligned strongly with Taiwan after its independence in 1978. That all changed in the second half of 2019 when heavy and effective lobbying by the Peoples Republic of China saw the Manasseh Sogavare Government end its 36 year recognition of Taiwan and commit to a "one China" policy.

What has happened in the less than two years since then is frankly alarming, and it ought to be sending the strongest possible message to the Australian Government!

Since the diplomatic switch, which remains a divisive issue in the Solomon Islands, the rapidly with which China has expanded its influence across the relatively sall economy just must be highlighted.

Since 2019, China has been awarded SI Government contracts to build the Telekom High Performance Centre, the Solomon Islands National University Complex, and the construction of the Munda International Airport, among other smaller projects!

But it does not end there. In 2023 the SI will host the Pacific Games, a major regional sports event. It will be the sporting focus of all the Pacific Island nations.

Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands Government awarded all the contracts for the games infrastructure, including a major national stadium, to two PRC contractors. Local SI contractors were not given as much as a look in.

The exact details of the funding arrangements remain unclear, but based on how China has sought to influence major events such as the Pacific Games in the past, China will pick up some of the costs but there will be a massive cost burden on the SI government and people.