Australia vs. China: Sending More Police to Solomon Islands and Extending Mission

(Patria) - Australia announced on Sunday that it will send additional police to the Solomon Islands to bolster security for the Pacific Games in November, keeping them there until June to assist with general elections, Reuters reported.

The expanded presence of Australian police comes after the Solomon Islands upgraded ties with China, signing a police agreement in July. Australia, New Zealand, and the United States are concerned that Chinese police could undermine the long-standing security arrangement Canberra has with the Pacific island nation.

The Solomon Islands said on Friday that it had invited Australia to extend the police presence, which was originally scheduled to end in December.

Australia has been the country's "primary security partner," an Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said on Sunday. Australian police will work alongside officers from Fiji, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

"At the request of the Government of the Solomon Islands, Australia has extended its contribution to the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF) until June 2024 to assist with security for the national general elections," the statement said.

An Australian police contingent arrived in December 2021 to quell anti-government riots, while Chinese police instructors arrived this year to prepare for the games. More than 5,000 athletes from about twenty countries are expected to attend the games, for which China has donated and built stadiums and other venues.

China has increased infrastructure funding after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019.

The Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China last year, raising concerns in Canberra and Washington about Beijing's maritime ambitions.