The Biden Effect: Traditional US Partner Solomon Islands Signs Draft Security Agreement with China – May Open Door for Chinese Police to Patrol Islands

The Solomon Islands are located east of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean.

The Solomon Islands have a long history of

Here is a brief history of the Solomon Islands and US relations following World War II up to Joe Biden.

Via The US State Department.

U.S.-SOLOMON ISLANDS RELATIONS

During World War II, the United States, fighting in tandem with Solomon Islanders, Australians and other allies, and Japan contested the Solomon Islands, then a British protectorate. By the end of 1943, the Allies were in command of the entire Solomon chain. In recognition of the close ties forged between the United States and the people of Solomon Islands during World War II, the U.S. Congress financed the construction of the Solomon Islands Parliament building. The United States participates in annual commemorations of the Battle of Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands, the turning-point for Allied forces in the Pacific theater of World War II.

The two countries established diplomatic relations following Solomon Islands’ independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. The U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is also accredited to Solomon Islands. U.S. diplomatic representation is handled by the U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea. The United States maintains a Consular Agency in Honiara, Solomon Islands to provide consular services to U.S. citizens. The United States and Solomon Islands are committed to working together to improve regional stability, promote democracy and human rights, combat trafficking in persons, confront environmental insecurity, increase trade, and promote sustainable economic development.

This week China and the Solomon Islands signed a draft agreement of a security pact that could allow Chinese police and other forces to take up duties on the islands.

This is a stunning development from a traditional partner of New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

WHEC reported:

China and the Solomon Islands have signed a draft version of a security pact that could see Chinese police and other forces take up duties in the Pacific Island nation, drawing concerns from traditional partners New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

The Solomon Islands government on Thursday said the draft agreement had been initialed by representatives of the two sides and will now “be cleaned up and await signatures of the two countries’ foreign ministers.”

The agreement aims to “respond to Solomon Islands’ soft and hard domestic threats. Solomon Islands will continue to roll out the implementation of its national security strategy and uphold its foreign policy of ‘Friends to all and enemies to none,'” a government news release said.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Tuesday rejected concerns that regional safety would be jeopardized by the treaty. Sogavare called such concerns “utter nonsense,” adding that “I find it very insulting … to be branded as unfit to manage our sovereign affairs.”

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