In April 2022, the People’s Republic of China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact that sparked a widespread response from the West. This pact entailed boosting the national security capacity of the Solomon islands via access to Chinese police, armed forces, military personnel and logistical support for domestic law enforcement agencies. These resources would be available to the Solomon Islands, on request, to fulfil aims of the ‘maintenance of social order, provision of humanitarian assistance’ and more, as outlined in the scope of cooperation.
Moreover, the draft security pact gave China the ability to send ships to carry out logistical replenishment of its assets, stopover and transition with the consent of the Solomon Islands. Significantly, the pact allows China to use its forces to protect the safety of Chinese personnel it deems at risk. The overwhelming concern for Western states and Pacific neighbours arising from this clause was the risk of China being able to send troops to the Solomon Islands and potentially establishing a military base there.
Western Concerns
The implications of Beijing potentially establishing its first military base within the Pacific region raised significant geopolitical concerns among western states.
Security Concerns
At the forefront of these concerns lies Australia’s proximity to the Solomon Islands, situated a mere 3200 kilometres from its borders. This geographical proximity underscores the strategic geopolitical significance of the Solomon Islands to Australia’s security outlook. For decades, Australia has enjoyed relative isolation and security from direct threats posed by other states. However, in light of China’s expanding maritime power, Australian officials have deliberated intensively over the need for Australia to further bolster its defensive capabilities to counter any potential threats.
Diplomatic Concerns
Asides from the security concerns, there was much disappointment expressed in Australia’s inability to strengthen and retain ties with its neighbours. Instead of cooperating and working with Pacific Island states on the pressing issue of climate change, Australia has been called out for failing to act adequately and greatly contributing to the worsening conditions faced by Pacific states. As a result, Pacific Island states, especially the Solomon Islands, have also conveyed a sense of neglect and disrespect – with President Sovogare calling on “those people who brand us as their backyard to stop calling us that name and start to respect us as a sovereign independent nation with one equal vote in the United Nations.”
In this current geopolitical landscape, Pacific Island states are fighting to assert sovereignty and independence on the international stage. It is clear that they are no longer content with being relegated to the status of junior partners, or anyone’s backyard. Fostering closer ties with China thus presents a strategic avenue for them to actualise this desire by diversifying their security and economic options. Moreover, this would result in states not being overly dependent on a primary major global actor, and instead able to leverage their position to make larger states compete over their allegiances. And so, through exploring alternative security arrangements and economic alliances, Pacific Island states are able to reinforce their autonomy and self-reliance in a complex international arena, seemingly pitted against them.
Australia’s attitudes have also been blamed for allowing states to look upon China as a viable and attractive alternative ally to turn to. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, has even stated that the failure to prevent this security pact has been the “the worst foreign policy blunder in the Pacific since the end of World War II”.
This calls on Australia to recalibrate its diplomatic settings and reconsider the use of the term ‘backyard’, instead opt to work alongside Pacific Island states in order to be considered as a viable security partner. To be seen as a favourable ally, Australia needs to adopt a more proactive and effective approach to climate change, responding to the pleas of the Pacific Islands instead of branding them as merely a geopolitical playground.
US Response
The pact has brought attention to a growing shift within the balance of power in the region, as China’s growing presence further undermines and threatens the influence of the US and its Western allies in the region.
The US has raised concerns surrounding China’s intentions within the region when engaging with political leaders from the Pacific Island states, with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warning of China’s “problematic behaviour”. This is in reference to the US administration’s statement regarding China’s usage of “a familiar pattern of extravagant promises, prospective costly infrastructure loans, and potentially dangerous debt levels”. They claim that one of their most pressing concerns is rising debt levels in the region, due to states being heavily indebted to Beijing as a result of the ‘generous’ loans it seeks to provide.
The US has also stepped up their efforts in the region to counter China’s growing influence. In February of this year, they announced plans to open an embassy in the Solomon Islands to build better ties with
the state. There have also been more widespread, regional attempts to reassert US presence in the Pacific, with President Biden convening a summit of Pacific Island leaders in September 2022. Within this summit, the US presented a strategy targeting the most pressing issue of climate change as well as maritime security promising $810m in aid, including a $130m dedicated to addressing the effects of climate change.
China’s Response
Chinese ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, countered concerns surrounding the possibility of a military base saying, “The US has built nearly 800 military bases in more than 80 countries and regions around the world. When will these military bases be closed?” He went on to further point out hypocrisy within the West’s narrative of the alleged threat posed by China to the region, countering claims that the Chinese pact was opaque and not taking into consideration the perspectives of regional actors by accusing the AUKUS agreement of similar opacity and regional ignorance’
Latest Developments
Now, China and the Solomon islands have taken yet another step – upgrading their relationship to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. The terms of this partnership were announced in a statement put out by the Chinese government on the 11th of July 2023, titled the, “Joint Statement on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Featuring Mutual Respect and Common Development For a New Era Between the People’s Republic of China And Solomon Islands”. Overall, the statement outlines how the two parties have pledged to further their relations via increased collaboration regarding international affairs, enhancing trade – with a specific focus on the Belt and Road initiative and strengthening mutual political trust. They have further sought to highlight the principles of mutual respect, regardless of strength or size and common development, which hold significant importance to both parties.
This relates to Solomon Islands’ grievances regarding the international community’s neglect of smaller Pacific island states and disregard of the ongoing climate crisis, as it reflects the desire by President Sogavare to no longer be seen as Australia’s backyard. Furthermore, China’s pledge of economic assistance and investment to the Solomon Islands as part of the ‘common development’ includes more integration with Belt and Road initiatives, reflecting the desire of the Solomon Islands for greater economic prosperity and better trade with global partners.
Overall, China’s increased involvement in the Pacific region indicates an evolving political landscape wherein Pacific Island states are able to advocate for their interests as they hold greater leverage than ever before. Noting this, it is essential for Western nations to recalibrate their diplomacy, engage in meaningful cooperation and address the legitimate concerns of Pacific Island nations to maintain influence in the region while respecting their autonomy and sovereignty. The situation in the Pacific currently remains dynamic and any decisions made over the coming years may result in significant implications on the balance of power in the region.
