Leaked document reveals deal between Solomon Island

Context

A recent leaked document has revealed that the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific have reached a deal with China. 

• This has raised alarms in Washington and Canberra.

Background

• A document leaked on social media revealed that the Solomon Islands has proposed a deal aimed at increased security cooperation with China.
• This deal is regarded as an unprecedented one for China in the South Pacific region.
• The island’s move has raised alarms in various countries such as the U.S. and Australia which enjoy a high degree of influence in the region. 
  
  

About Solomon Islands

• The Solomon Islands is a sovereign country in Oceania, located east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu, with six major islands and over 900 smaller islands.
• Honiara, the capital, situated on Guadalcanal, the largest of the country’s islands.
• It is located between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu and is part of the ethnically Melanesian group of Pacific islands.
• The country is named after the Solomon Islands archipelago, a group of Melanesian islands that also contains the North Solomon Islands (a part of Papua New Guinea).
• Outlying islands such as the Santa Cruz Islands, Rennell, and Bellona are not included.

History

• The islands were initially controlled by the British Empire during the colonial era, went through the hands of Germany and Japan and then back to the U.K., after the Americans took over the islands from the Japanese during World War II.
• The islands became independent in 1978 to become a constitutional monarchy under the British Crown, with a parliamentary system of government.
• Nevertheless, its inability to manage domestic ethnic conflicts led to close security relations with Australia, which is the traditional first responder to any crisis in the South Pacific.

Why is China interested in the Solomon Islands?

• Isolating Taiwan: The Solomon Islands was one among the six Pacific island states which had official bilateral relations with Taiwan.
• Supporter in UN: The small Pacific island states act as potential vote banks for mobilising support for the great powers in international fora like the United Nations.
• Larger EEZ: These states have disproportionately large maritime Exclusive Economic Zones when compared to their small sizes.
• Natural resources: Solomon Islands, in particular, have significant reserves of timber and mineral resources, along with fisheries.
• Countering US: But more importantly, they are strategically located for China to insert itself between America’s military bases in the Pacific islands and Australia.