New Zealand extends security in the Solomon Islands amid tensions with China | The world

Amid growing tensions with Beijing, New Zealand on Wednesday announced that security missions to the Solomon Islands would be extended to November 2021, shortly after the riots and just hours before Chinese Foreign Minister arrives in the Solomon Islands.

“Our partnership promotes peace through security cooperation, but also by addressing the economic challenges we face as a region, climate change and other development needs,” New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaya said in a statement. Video conference with his Solomon Islands representative Jeremiah Manuel.

After the riots between November 24 and 28, at least three people were killed and Chinese businesses were looted and burned.

The New Zealand mission is scheduled to complete its mission next Tuesday.

The riots erupted during protests against the Pacific Prime Minister Manasseh Chokavare, who was accused by his opponents of collusion with China and economic inequality in the country.

In addition to the New Zealand security forces, other countries such as Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea have also sent troops.

Mahuta today reiterated his commitment to “support security in the Solomon Islands and to promote a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Pacific region.”

The announcement comes just hours before Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives on Thursday to meet with President Solomon Islands on Thursday, ending 36 years of diplomatic support for Taiwan and changing its international policy to recognize Beijing.

In April, the Asian company and Honiana reached a controversial security agreement that opens up the possibility of sending security forces to the Solomon Islands if the Chinese government demands it in “unstable” times, as is currently the case in Australia or newly. Seeland.

However, the most tense aspect is the fear that China will establish a naval base in the Pacific region, something that Hon’ble denies.

This Wednesday, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinta Artern called on the United States to avoid Pacific “militarization” in response to a Chinese minister’s planned trip to seven other countries in the region.

The Financial Times newspaper published exclusively on Saturday, citing US intelligence sources that China is in talks with another Pacific national security deal, similar to the one reached with the Kiribati and Solomon Islands.