Australian prime minister defends his country's ties to Solomons
NPR Online NewsMAR 16 2022
The latest developments in the Solomon Islands are a clear indication that the growing Chinese influence in the South Pacific nation is meant to favor authoritarianism. Western countries' navy ships have been barred from docking in its ports, foreign journalists have been threatened and attacked by government officials, and the PM is pushing to postpone the elections.
Although Western media and governments are trying to use this episode to promote anti-China rhetoric, the truth is that Solomoners don't want to be a pawn in the US's geopolitical game in the Pacific. While China cooperates transparently with Pacific nations to address urgent climate and development challenges, the West can only offer militarization and demands.