China’s troubling influence in the Solomon Islands

So when it came to a not insignificant Australian company investing in the SI, Australia had absolutely zero influence. My friend, Rowan Callick, wrote extensively about it in The Australian at the time but the SI Government was totally unmoved!

But that brings me to the even more troubling situation that Australia simply cannot ignore.

It is just over two years since the Solomon Islands switched recognition from Taiwan to the PRC. In that time, China has secured a total dominance over the construction, forestry, fisheries and agricultural export sectors across the SI (with the notable exception of the Malaita Province).

More than 90 per cent of the SI's log exports now go to China – and overall more than half the island nation's total exports go the same way. That has just about all happened in two years!

The Solomon Islands construction sector has effectively collapsed, with every government contract of any value going to Chinese construction companies, principally under the Belt and Road agenda. The Pacific Games will be held in Honiara in 2023 – there are five major construction projects associated with it such as a major stadium, and athletes accommodation.

The contracts for all five have gone to PRC companies with a mixture of PRC grants and loan funding it would seem.

In addition China is developing an international airport and undertaking just about all other infrastructure work for the Sogavare Government. The local construction sector has protested it has been destroyed, but its protests have been ignored.

If there was any doubt about the SI's effective subservience to China just one line in the transcript of a "telephone discussion" between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sogavare on 24 September this year really says it all.

In response to Xi's assurances about more Belt and Road support (expensive tied loans) Sogavare said……"…The SI will continue to firmly support China on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Hong and human rights!"

That from a strategic regional neighbour of Australia, a Parliamentary democracy, AND a country where over NINETY per cent of the population are committed Christians!

The control China effectively exercises over the Solomon Islands economy, and especially its vital export sector, ought to alarm Canberra on two fronts.

Firstly, a strategic neighbour is now totally influenced by China (something leading SI opposition members and one provincial premier continue to highlight) and secondly as the PNG Province of Bougainville moves inexorably towards Independence, China is well placed to develop strong links with Bougainville especially when it secures Independence!

If what has happened in the Solomon Islands in just over two years is "benign" and "non- threatening" to Australia's strategic national interest (let alone the rights and freedoms of the good people of the Solomon Islands) then I am a very poor judge!