Pacific Influence: International Powers Augment Policing and Vehicle Donations in Solomon Islands
International powers are significantly increasing their policing assistance and vehicle donations in Pacific island nations, particularly the Solomon Islands. This engagement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and influence in the strategically significant region. Among various countries involved, China and Australia have emerged as prominent actors, each employing distinct strategies.
International Policing Assistance in Solomon Islands
China's Distinct Approach
China is actively conducting training sessions for community leaders on the outskirts of Honiara, collaborating closely with local Solomon Islands police officers. Participants in these sessions receive valuable provisions, including solar lighting, sewing machines, soccer balls, and culinary lessons.
"We really love China," stated Ben Angoa, a participant, emphasizing China's "impact in the community."
These community-focused sessions, alongside donations of uniforms, flashlights, and police vehicles, are a core component of China's policing support. Approximately a dozen Chinese police trainers are currently deployed in Honiara. The training covers critical community issues such as domestic violence, alcohol-related incidents, youth unrest, and economic conditions, complemented by lectures on the role of police and community policing concepts. Participants have also undergone fingerprinting as part of the program.
Associate Professor Graeme Smith of Australian National University characterized this approach as a "classic Chinese urban policing model which mixes control with paternalism."
Australia's Enduring Partnership
Australia, historically a dominant influence in the Solomon Islands, has concentrated its policing assistance on formal partnerships. These initiatives aim to enhance the capability and equipment of the 1,100-strong local police force.
Following a period of civil unrest in the early 2000s, Australia invested over $2.3 billion in a regional assistance mission, which concluded in 2017. Australia's current program, managed by the Australian Federal Police, is budgeted at over $170 million, with an additional $190 million commitment announced in 2024, although this latter initiative has reportedly stalled.
Australia provides a greater number of advisers working directly in police stations compared to China, and has donated numerous police vehicles and weaponry. Solomon Islands officers also receive training in Australia. Beyond land-based support, Australia has donated two Guardian-class patrol boats, including fuel and crew provisions, and actively promotes its partnership through billboards in Honiara.
Broader International Contributions
Other nations, including New Zealand and the United States, also provide support to the Solomon Islands police force. The Solomon Islands government has expressed varied views on these international partnerships.
Minister for Rural Development Daniel Waneoroa described international support as a "win-win" while acknowledging coordination challenges among multiple partners.
Vehicle Diplomacy in the Pacific
The provision of vehicles has emerged as a crucial diplomatic tool across the Pacific region, intensifying amid increasing strategic competition. Due to geographical isolation and high import costs, foreign-donated vehicles, often delivered at the donor's expense, are highly valued by Pacific governments.
China's "Prestige Diplomacy"
China's engagement in vehicle diplomacy includes the recent provision of a Hongqi luxury sedan to Fiji's President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, in January.
This type of donation has been described as "prestige diplomacy," aiming to build relationships directly with leaders.
China has a history of providing both luxury cars and practical fleets, with regular deliveries to host nations during the Pacific Islands Forum.
Multilateral Vehicle Contributions
Australia, the United States, New Zealand, and Japan also contribute significant vehicle fleets to Pacific countries. The Solomon Islands' Prime Minister has publicly acknowledged fleets of police vehicles from both Australia and SUVs from China. Donated vehicles function as visible markers for donor nations, reinforcing relationships through daily use.
Geopolitical Context and Regional Influence
The Solomon Islands shifted its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019 and subsequently signed a security deal with Beijing in 2022. This significant shift and the arrival of Chinese police and advisers have drawn considerable attention from nations like Australia.
China's Expanding Footprint
China's broader strategy in the Pacific aims to expand its diplomatic, economic, and political footprint through infrastructure projects, development aid, and high-profile gifts. A stated objective is to encourage Pacific nations to support Beijing's One China principle and sever ties with Taiwan. Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific have dwindled from six to three (Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, and Palau) following Nauru's switch in 2024. During the sedan handover ceremony, Fiji's president reaffirmed his country's commitment to the One China policy.
Australia's Response
Australia, as the region's largest foreign aid donor, has expanded its policing partnerships, security agreements, and infrastructure assistance in direct response to China's growing presence, aiming to reassert its traditional role.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has referred to the competition for influence in the Pacific as a "permanent contest" to be the "partner of choice."
Associate Professor Graeme Smith indicated that while it is "hard to say who is winning," the differing approaches highlight distinct strategies. Senior opposition figure Peter Kenilorea Jr. acknowledged the utility of the provisions but expressed concerns that geopolitical competition could create divisions within the police force, with some figures perceived as aligned with either Beijing or Canberra.
When asked about which country is succeeding in gaining influence, Kenilorea Jr. stated, "China is, definitely." Divisions also exist within the Solomon Islands regarding the perceived effectiveness of different international strategies, with some community leaders finding China's direct engagement appealing, potentially outside formal police structures.