Solomon Islands: Debunking China\’s purported diplomatic influence
Solomon Islands Keeps China and Taiwan Out of Pacific Forum
Solomon Islands has decided to forbid China, the United States and Taiwan from attending its upcoming Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara next month, a move that has been defended by the nation’s foreign minister.
Why the ban matters
- China co‑sponsored a secret security pact with Honiara in 2022.
- It has been accused of staging behind‑the‑scenes pressure to exclude Taiwan from the Forum as an observer.
- Solomon Islands’ Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka says the ban was not influenced by China.
Agovaka’s key points
Agovaka told AFP that:
- His focus was on the region, not on China or Taiwan.
- He blamed the Forum secretariat for the ban because it had yet to agree on “dialogue partners.”
- He called the Forum “all over the place.”
New Zealand’s warning
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that “outsiders” interfering with Forum decisions could split the bloc, though he did not mention China by name. Peters added that “every outsider must come here with respect for those of us who are inside the organisation.”
China’s response
Chinese officials described the accusations of behind‑the‑scenes agitation as “misinformation.” A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the New Zealand capital said that China “has participated in every Forum dialogue, remains committed and looks forward to continuing such engagement.”
Forum’s atmosphere
Unlike typical light‑hearted pre‑Forum meetings, the gathering in Suva this Thursday was noticeably tense. Agovaka defended the presence of observers, claiming that they “enhance our meetings.” Peters later called Agovaka’s comments “very perplexing.”
Forum dates
The Pacific Islands Forum will be held in Honiara from September 8‑12. The annual pre‑Forum meeting of foreign ministers is typically a light‑hearted affair, but the gathering in Suva on Thursday was noticeably more tense. Several countries did send ministers and others did not engage fully.
