Politics Archive May 2022

China's Foreign Minister meets with the Prime Minister during his recent visit to the Solomon Islands.

China to Consider Building Police Training Facility in Country

China will consider building a police training centre in Solomon Islands, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi tours the Pacific in a bid to increase its influence in the region.
Hon Wale said Solomon Islands is a democratic country, owned by the people and they are entitled to know what is being transacted in their name.

Opposition Raises Concerns Over Secrecy Surrounding MOUs With China

Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has raised concerns that MOUs that will be signed by the visiting PRC foreign minister and the national government have been kept secret only to a few in the top government echelon.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the Wang's one-day visit at the head of a nearly 20-strong delegation would be a "milestone" in the two countries' relationship. MASI says it will be boycotting the media event where Wang will be addressing a selected group of local media outlets.

MASI Boycotts China Delegation Press Event

Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has issued a boycott notice to its members for the PRC Press Event scheduled for Thursday.
Officials from the Quad nations have clarified in the past that it's not a military alliance like NATO but a partnership for a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region.

Chinese Foreign Minister Will Visit Solomon Islands as Quad Leaders Convene in Tokyo

By Samson Sade
The Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Solomon Islands later this week. This was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s office, and the Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming.
"I can assure you there will be no military base in Solomon Islands and Australia remains our partner of choice,” Mr. Veke told Karen Andrews, Australia’s Minister of Home Affairs.

Veke Says Australia Remains Partner of Choice

Paving the way for a naval military base in Solomon Islands was the main concern of Australia on the security pact Honiara and Beijing signed recently. But the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Anthony Veke, saw no cause for alarm in the security pact.
Hosted by the Forum Secretary General Henry Puna at the Forum Secretariat, the dialogue allowed for Forum members to hear directly from the Government of Solomon Islands on the context of its security agreement with China.

PIFS Secretary General Hosts Solomon Islands "Tok Stori" Session

Pacific Forum Leaders and Foreign Ministers attended a unique ‘Tok Stori’ hybrid event in Suva.
Late Mr Basil was said to be travelling in the company of two of his Close Protection Officers and a Media officer when his vehicle collided with another oncoming vehicle.

Opposition Leader Conveys Condolences on Passing of PNG's Deputy Prime Minister

Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has conveyed his condolences to the government and people of Papua New Guinea following the tragic death of PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon Sam Basil.
Glo Oxenham received her Queen’s Service Medal of honour award for services to the Melanesian community from Her Excellency, The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand.

Solomon Islander Receives Medal of Honour in New Zealand

On Thursday 05th May, Solomon Islander Glo Oxenham received her Queen’s Service Medal of honour award for services to the Melanesian community from Her Excellency, The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand.
Group photo with consignment of face masks. L-R Dr Yogesh Choudhri MHMS Senior Advisor, Mrs. Pauline McNeil, MHMS Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mostyn Mangau Police Commissioner, Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana Health Minister, Cornelius Walegera Deputy Secretary Foreign Affairs and Wesley Kukutu Manager National Medical Store.

Canadian Company Supports Police and Health Ministry With COVID-19 Masks

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force [RSIPF] have praised Canada’s Novoshield company for their support in mobilizing and delivering 16,800 Level 3 medical grade face masks to boost ongoing work of health and police against COVID-19 in the country.
One government source told the ABC Mr Wang would lead a large Chinese delegation and the two countries would likely sign a host of new agreements during the trip.

High Level Chinese Delegation Led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Visit Solomon Islands

Chinese Foreign Minister and state councillor Wang Yi is likely to make a surprise visit to Solomon Islands in coming weeks, in another sign Beijing is intent on cementing security and commercial ties with the Pacific Island nation while Canberra is consumed by the federal election.
Jonathan Schwass holding coffee beans in Timor Leste.

New Zealand's New High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Named

New Zealand has appointed a new high commissioner to Solomon Islands.
Payne told Reuters in a statement after the meeting that she reiterated the Australian government's deep concern about the security agreement with China, including a lack of transparency.

Foreign Affairs Minister Manele Meets with Australian Counterpart

Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele has met with his Australian counterpart, Marise Payne, as he transited through Australia Friday last week.
Hon Wale said the foreign minister’s mission to Suva has proven that the Government is well aware that this issue is not a sovereign one and has regional implications.

Opposition Says Government’s Regional Tour a Disgrace

Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale says the foreign minister’s visit to Suva on an ‘explain tour’ of the SI-PRC security treaty is a disgrace.
"Of course we haven't threatened [to invade]," Mr Morrison said. "We are their primary security partner. We are their first call when they face these sorts of challenges."

Morrison Says Australia Still Solomon Islands' First Option Despite 'Secret' Security Deal with China

Scott Morrison says the government will take a "calm and composed" approach to Solomon Islands if re-elected, after its Prime Minister launched a tirade in parliament about Australia's response to its new security pact with China.
“The right to vote includes people who are not in agreement with us MPs as their representatives and they have been waiting for 4 years to vote us out. Four years is the remedy when the power comes back to them and so to postpone elections and the right to vote is postponing people’s power,” he said.

Power Belongs to the People: Kenilorea

Opposition MP for East Are’Are, Hon Peter Kenilorea Jnr, has urged leaders not to lose sight of people’s right to vote in allowing them to exercise their power to do so as enshrined in the constitution.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the strategy is to ease the pressure on Honiara by mobilizing people in rural areas to engage in economic development.

Rural Development Key to Future Growth: Sogavare

Prime Minister Honorable Manasseh Sogavare acknowledged that the strength of the country lies in the rural areas.
“We will try and do our best in terms of dealing with them to make sure that what is happening in other countries where, like Hong Kong, doesn’t happen in our country,” he said.

Solomon Islands Top Envoy in Canberra Says China Police Will Be Under Local Command

China’s police presence under a new security pact would boost the capabilities of the Solomon Islands, but they would not use techniques seen in Hong Kong, the Pacific island’s top diplomat to Australia said in a radio interview yesterday.
“Press freedom embodies certain fundamental rights within our Constitution. A person’s right to information and to express themselves are just some examples of the rights which press freedom carries,” he said.

Wale Acknowledges Role of Media on World Press Freedom Day

Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has congratulated the media in the country as they mark the World Press Freedom Day yesterday.
Health PS. Mrs. Pauline McNeil and Mr. Yao Ming of PRC Embassy after the signing with NRH CEO Dr George Malefoasi and Director Planning and Policy Mr. Ivan Ghemu.

Improvements to Medical Centre at NRH Set to Begin

Construction of a new Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC) at the Eastern wing of the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is set to kick off, following the signing of minutes of an on-site Feasibility Study of the CMC Project by the Ministry of Health and China Embassy in Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Sogavare has indicated that he will be looking to China to fill apparent security gaps in the country’s national security space, despite assurances made to Australia that they remain the country’s preferred partner.

Sogavare Openly Criticizes Australia, Defends Security Agreement with China

By Jimmy Nolan
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has taken a veiled swipe against Australia, a regional partner and a longtime friend who has stood with Solomon Islands for many years.
“The Government is taking the advice of His Excellency seriously on how to advance this matter forward," Prime Minister Sogavare said.

Government to Consider Four Options on Life of Current Parliament

The Government says it is taking the advice of the Governor General, His Excellency Sir David Vunagi seriously on matters relating to the deferment of the dissolution of the 11th Parliament, Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare told Parliament.

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