June
New policing deal to keep China out of the Pacific
Australia has agreed to help Solomon Islands grow its police force following high level leaders’ talks.
- Andrew Tillett
May
Australia ready to help Solomons build a defence force: Marles
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will meet Solomon Islands’ new leader Jeremiah Manele in Honiara on Tuesday.
- Andrew Tillett
New Solomons PM still close to China, but more diplomatic
Despite being foreign minister for almost five years, Jeremiah Manele is unlikely to strictly follow the pro-China policy of his predecessor, according to some.
- Updated
- Ben Westcott
April
Chinese influence lingers in Solomons despite Sogavare ouster
The new Solomon Islands government is not expected to be as overtly hostile to Australia after Manasseh Sogavare declared he will not recontest the prime ministership.
- Andrew Tillett
Solomon Islands PM steps down after elections
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare formed close ties with China during his terms in power and said he had been vilified for it.
- Rod McGuirk
Pro-China Solomon Islands PM fails to win majority
Manasseh Sogavare has failed to win a majority in parliamentary elections, setting the stage for coalition negotiations.
- Updated
- Ben Westcott
Mourners pay tribute to Bondi victims as shopping centre reopens
People have gathered at Westfield Bondi Junction in the eastern suburbs to pay tribute to the six people murdered last weekend. How the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Gus McCubbing and Andrew Hobbs
March
US passes long-delayed deal to fund crucial Pacific Island agreements
Although the three island nations involved are tiny, they span 4000 km across the Pacific, providing critical access for the US to operate in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Demetri Sevastopulo and Kathrin Hille
January
- Analysis
- China relations
China always a step ahead in Pacific influence tussle
While Australia and the United States are stepping up efforts to counter China’s rising influence in the Pacific, Beijing always seems to be one step ahead.
- Michael Smith
China, Papua New Guinea in talks on policing, security cooperation
Beijing approached PNG in September with an offer to assist its police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology, says the country’s foreign minister.
- Kirsty Needham
August 2023
How Fiji got a nasty lesson in Chinese authoritarianism
The Pacific nation watched in shock as Chinese security agents marched what it said were 77 criminal suspects onto a plane and flew them away for detention in China.
- Michael E. Miller and Matthew Abbott
July 2023
Blinken warns of China’s ‘problematic behaviour’ in Pacific
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the tiny kingdom of Tonga, as the US steps up diplomatic efforts in the Pacific to counter China’s influence.
- Lucy Craymer
- Opinion
- China relations
China, not NATO, is militarising Asia
The Solomon Islands’ ‘strategic partnership’ with Beijing should disturb anyone who values peace. It also justifies Australia’s increased engagement with NATO.
- Misha Zelinsky
‘Un-neighbourly’: Sogavare lashes Australia over Chinese security deal
Solomons Island PM Manasseh Sogavare has accused Australia and the US of foreign interference after they called for transparency over a new Chinese police agreement.
- Andrew Tillett
‘Reliable brothers’: China, Solomon Islands boost ties
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has signed nine deals with China during his visit to Beijing this week.
- David Brunnstrom
Solomons leader to be feted on first China visit since security pact
Manasseh Sogavare says his interest is development aid for his country and it will remain neutral in the global contest for influence between the US and China.
- Kirsty Needham
June 2023
Australia, Solomon Islands to review security pact after China moves in
Defence Minister Richard Marles has also flagged a long-term security presence for Australian forces in Solomon Islands.
- Andrew Tillett
May 2023
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
Biden or not, the Pacific ramp-up remains intact
Even without Joe Biden, the US and Australia have plenty to offer as a counter to China’s economic heft with island nations.
- Meg Keen
Biden to arrange another summit of Pacific Islands leaders this year
The US President’s planned stopover in Papua New Guinea had been viewed as a major step to build trust in a region where China has sought a greater security presence.
- Jeff Mason and Kirsty Needham
March 2023
How Australia helped save Solomon Islands from itself
An important new book explains how Australian soldiers, police officers and diplomats staunched a cycle of bloodshed and rebuilt a shattered state.
- James Curran