Solomon Islands has suspended visits from all foreign Navies, citing a need to review approval processes, after a U.S. Coast Guard ship was unable to refuel at its port.
Key points
- The decision comes amid concerns over the Solomons’ growing ties with China in recent years, switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019 and signing a security pact with China in April 2022.
- Western countries are wary that the Solomon islands could provide China with a military foothold in a strategically important region.
- Prime Minister Sogavare dismissed suggestions that the blocking of access to the country’s ports was linked to China.
- China sees the Pacific Island region as a critical air freight hub in its so-called Air Silk Road, which connects Asia with Central and South America.
- The United States and its regional allies, such as Australia and New Zealand, are concerned that the China-Solomon Islands security pact allows Chinese naval vessels to replenish there. That could open the door to a Chinese naval base, which would significantly extend China’s military reach in the South Pacific.
About Solomon Islands
- The Solomon Islands are a group of islands located in the South Pacific Ocean.
- The Solomon Islands are east of Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia. Its capital, Honiara, is located on the largest island, Guadalcanal.
- The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands
- The Melanesian Spearhead Group Preferential Trade Agreement is a regional trade treaty involving the states of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
- More than 90% of the islanders are ethnic Melanesians, but there has been intense and bitter rivalry between the Isatabus on Guadalcanal, the largest island, and migrant Malaitans from the neighbouring island.
