Solomons says it will not 'choose sides' between US, China | Inquirer News

Solomons says it will not ‘choose sides’ between US, China

/ 01:55 PM October 04, 2022

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2022. AFP

WELLINGTON — Solomon Islands said Tuesday it had objected to the first draft of a US-Pacific partnership declaration because it was “not comfortable” with some indirect references to China.

The Solomons’ foreign minister, Jeremiah Manele, was quizzed by reporters in New Zealand about his country’s reported qualms over the joint statement, signed in Washington last week.

Article continues after this advertisement

“In the initial draft there were some references that we were not comfortable with,” the foreign minister said.

FEATURED STORIES

These “put us in a position that we have to choose sides and we don’t want to be placed in a position that we have to choose sides”, Manele said.

Asked if those references were to China, he replied: “Indirectly.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Manele said the United States and 14 Pacific islands meeting in Washington had then found “common ground” in negotiations, allowing Solomon Islands to sign the final declaration.

Article continues after this advertisement

The United States has been the key player in the South Pacific since its World War II victory.

Article continues after this advertisement

But in recent years China has asserted itself strongly through investment, police training and, most controversially, a security pact with Solomon Islands.

Countering Beijing’s growing clout in the region, US President Joe Biden last week announced $810 million in new funding for the Pacific islands and signed the joint declaration with them pledging a closer US-Pacific partnership.

Article continues after this advertisement

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told AFP in Washington at the time that the negotiations had addressed his concerns “in a positive way”.

Manele, speaking in Wellington after meeting with his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta, said both China and the United States were welcome in the Pacific.

The foreign minister reiterated the Solomons’ position that its security pact with Beijing, signed in April, would not lead to China establishing a military presence in the archipelago.

“The Indo-Pacific… should not be seen as a region of confrontation, of conflict, of war,” Manele said.

“There is no provision for a military base in that agreement. We welcome the US re-engagement with the Pacific and we look forward to working with all our partners.”

RELATED STORIES

Solomons ‘unfairly targeted’ since recognizing China, its president tells UN

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Solomon Islands tells Pacific islands it won’t sign White House summit declaration — note

TAGS: China, Politics, South Pacific

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.