by Guglielmo Picchi

In July 2023, a significant shift occurred in the geopolitical landscape of the Pacific Islands region. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a deepening of ties between the two nations. This announcement came a year after a security deal was struck, which had already raised alarms in Western capitals. The new deal included police cooperation and extended into economic and technical cooperation, showcasing China's growing influence in a region traditionally under Western sway.

A comprehensive agreement

The details of these agreements are crucial to understanding the depth and breadth of China's growing influence in the Pacific.

  • Security Cooperation

Central to the Sino-Solomon Islands relationship is a five-year security agreement announced earlier in April 2023. The specifics of this agreement have been kept under wraps, but it's presumed to include aspects of law enforcement and security assistance. This agreement likely allows for the presence of Chinese security personnel on the Solomon Islands, although the extent of this is not publicly known.

  • Police Cooperation

An integral part of the strategic partnership is the policing pact between the two nations. This deal could involve the training of the Solomon Islands' police force by Chinese personnel, along with the provision of policing equipment and possibly intelligence sharing. This aspect of the agreement underscores a deepening of law enforcement ties between the two countries.

  • Economic and Technical Cooperation

China's role in infrastructure development in the Solomon Islands is expected to grow, with projects potentially spanning transportation, telecommunications, and construction. This is aligned with China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative objectives. Additionally, the agreement likely includes Chinese technical assistance in various sectors such as telecommunications, agriculture, fisheries, and education, aiming to boost the Solomon Islands' development.

  • Cultural and Educational Exchanges

La partnership si estende anche ai settori della cultura e dell’istruzione. Potrebbero essere previste borse di studio e scambi educativi per gli studenti delle Isole Salomone per studiare in Cina. Sono inoltre previsti scambi culturali per promuovere la comprensione reciproca e rafforzare i legami tra le due nazioni.

  • Sports Cooperation

Part of the new deal includes an agreement relating to sports, particularly in preparation for the Pacific Games scheduled in the Solomon Islands. This could entail Chinese assistance in developing sports infrastructure, training, and other forms of support for the games.

  • Potential Strategic and Military Elements

There is ongoing speculation about the strategic and military dimensions of the agreement. Discussions often focus on the possibility of China gaining access to ports and facilities for its naval vessels in the Solomon Islands, though no official confirmation of such provisions has been made.

Implications of the Sino-Solomon Islands Agreement

The partnership between China and the Solomon Islands is not just a bilateral agreement but a symbol of changing dynamics in the Pacific. It represents China's increasing ability to project its influence far beyond its borders. The security components of the deal, particularly the undisclosed five-year treaty, are of significant concern. They potentially pave the way for a Chinese military presence in the region, altering the strategic balance and posing a direct challenge to Western interests.

Risks for the West from the Sino-Solomon Islands Partnership

The Sino-Solomon Islands partnership poses several significant risks to Western interests. These risks range from geopolitical and security concerns to economic and diplomatic challenges. 1. Diminished Influence in the Pacific

  1. Diminished Influence in the Pacific
  • Erosion of Traditional Alliances: The growing Chinese presence in the Pacific challenges the historical influence of Western powers like the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. As China strengthens its ties with Pacific nations, the traditional alliances and influence that these Western nations have enjoyed could be significantly eroded.
  • Shift in Regional Dynamics: The increase in China's influence might also lead to a reconfiguration of regional institutions and alliances, potentially marginalizing the roles traditionally played by Western powers.
  1. Security Threats
  • Military Presence and Activities: China’s increased military activities, such as naval deployments in the Pacific, pose a direct security threat to Western nations. The proximity of these activities to key sea lanes and Western military bases is a particular concern.
  • Intelligence and Surveillance: The possibility of enhanced Chinese surveillance capabilities in the Pacific, including the use of advanced technologies for intelligence gathering, poses a significant threat to the security and privacy of Western nations and their Pacific allies. 3. Economic and Diplomatic Leverage
  1. Economic and Diplomatic Leverage
  • Economic Dependency: China’s economic engagements, such as infrastructure investments and trade deals, could create a dependency for Pacific nations on China. This economic leverage can be used diplomatically to sway these nations away from Western alliances.
  • Influence in International Forums: With greater economic ties, China might also gain more influence over Pacific nations' positions in international forums, potentially leading to a collective shift in policy stances that are less favorable to Western interests.
  1. Regional Instability
  • Geopolitical Competition: The shift in the power balance, with China becoming more assertive in the Pacific, could heighten geopolitical competition. This may lead to increased tensions and even confrontations between major powers in the region.
  • Impact on Local Conflicts: The presence of a new major power player could complicate existing local conflicts or disputes within the region, potentially leading to destabilization.
  1. Precedent Setting
  • The partnership between China and the Solomon Islands could set a precedent for other nations in the region. If more countries pivot towards China, it could lead to a significant realignment away from Western influence.
  • Normalization of Chinese Influence: As more countries in the region engage closely with China, this might normalize China's role as a major player in the Pacific, further diminishing the relative influence of Western countries.
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Western Countermeasures to China's Pacific Advancements

Western nations, particularly the United States and its allies, are now compelled to reassess and strengthen their strategies in the Pacific. Here's a look at the multifaceted approach they are employing to counterbalance China's growing influence in the region:

  1. Enhanced Diplomatic Outreach and Alliances
  • Strengthening Ties with Pacific Nations: The U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and other Western countries are intensifying diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations. This includes high-level visits, strategic dialogues, and the establishment of new diplomatic missions.
  • Building Multilateral Coalitions: The West is also working on building multilateral coalitions with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. This includes leveraging existing alliances such as the Quad (comprising the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan) to present a united front against potential Chinese expansionism.
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  1. Economic Incentives and Development Assistance
  • Infrastructure Investment: Initiatives similar to the U.S.'s “Build Back Better World” (B3W) are being promoted to offer Pacific nations alternatives to China's Belt and Road Initiative for infrastructure development.
  • Increased Aid and Development Programs: Western countries are boosting their aid and development programs, focusing on key areas such as healthcare, education, and climate change resilience to address the immediate needs of Pacific Island nations.
  1. Military Presence and Security Cooperation
  • Joint Military Exercises: Increased frequency and scale of joint military exercises with Pacific allies serve as a show of strength and commitment to regional security.
  • Security Assistance: Providing security assistance, including maritime surveillance capabilities, to Pacific Island nations to help them safeguard their territorial waters and enhance regional security.
  1. Intelligence Sharing and Cybersecurity
  • Enhanced Intelligence Sharing: Strengthening intelligence-sharing networks with Pacific allies to monitor and respond to regional threats more effectively.
  • Cybersecurity Initiatives: Offering cybersecurity assistance to Pacific nations to protect against cyber threats and reduce their vulnerability to Chinese cyber activities.
  1. Public Diplomacy and Cultural Exchanges
  • Educational and Cultural Programs: Expanding educational and cultural exchange programs to foster people-to-people ties and promote Western values and democratic principles.
  • Media and Information Campaigns: Engaging in information campaigns to counter Chinese propaganda and provide transparent and reliable information to the Pacific populations.
  1. Strategic Economic Partnerships
  • Free Trade Agreements and Economic Partnerships: Negotiating new free trade agreements and enhancing existing ones to increase economic ties and dependencies with Pacific Island nations.
  • Private Sector Engagement: Encouraging private sector investment in the Pacific region, providing an alternative to state-led Chinese investments.
A new competitive landscape

To summarize, the evolving partnership between China and the Solomon Islands, marked by comprehensive agreements, heralds a pivotal change in Pacific dynamics, presenting distinct challenges for Western powers. These challenges span security, diplomatic, and regional influence spheres, necessitating a nuanced and proactive response from Western nations to maintain balance and stability in the region.

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Direttore per le Relazioni internazionali del Centro Studi Politici e Strategici Machiavelli. Deputato nelle legislature XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII e Sottosegretario agli Affari Esteri durante il Governo Conte I. Laureato in Economia (Università di Firenze), Master in Business Administration (Università Bocconi), dirigente di azienda bancaria.