International Policing Assistance in Solomon Islands
Training sessions organized by Chinese police, in collaboration with local Solomon Islands officers, are being conducted for community leaders on the outskirts of Honiara. Participants like Ben Angoa have also received various provisions from China, including solar lighting, sewing machines, soccer balls, and culinary lessons. Angoa stated, "We really love China," and noted that China has an "impact in the community" which he perceives as lacking from other partners.
These sessions, alongside donations of uniforms, flashlights, and police vehicles, represent a component of China's support for policing in the Solomon Islands. This engagement occurs within a broader context of competition for influence in the strategically important nation, which Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has referred to as a "permanent contest" to be the "partner of choice" in the Pacific.
Divisions exist within the country regarding the perceived effectiveness of different international strategies. Associate Professor Graeme Smith, a China and Pacific scholar at Australian National University, indicated that while it is "hard to say who is winning," the differing approaches highlight distinct strategies. Australia has primarily focused on formal police partnerships, potentially excluding community leaders, who often manage local disputes outside formal police structures. China, conversely, has engaged more directly with the communities that police serve.
Historical Context and Current Engagements
Australia has historically viewed the Solomon Islands as being within its sphere of influence. Following a period of civil unrest in the early 2000s, Australia invested over $2.3 billion in a regional assistance mission, which concluded in 2017 with the reconstitution of the local police force. In 2019, the Solomon Islands shifted diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, and in 2022, signed a security deal with Beijing. The subsequent arrival of Chinese police and advisers raised concerns in Canberra regarding Honiara's alignment.
Other nations, including New Zealand and the United States, also provide support to the Solomon Islands police. Both Australia and China supply advisers who work in police stations and have donated numerous police vehicles. They have also provided weaponry, and Solomon Islands officers receive training in both countries.
Contrasting Approaches
Australia's program, budgeted at over $170 million by the Australian Federal Police, has concentrated on enhancing the capability and equipment of the 1,100-strong police force. The Solomon Islands government has requested further support, with Australia announcing an additional $190 million commitment in 2024, though this initiative has reportedly stalled.
China deploys fewer staff, with approximately a dozen police trainers in Honiara, compared to Australia's greater number. However, China's training sessions, conducted across the capital, demonstrate an alternative engagement strategy. During a session in Honiara, local leaders discussed community issues such as domestic violence, alcohol-related incidents, youth unrest, and economic conditions. ANU's Smith characterized this approach as a "classic Chinese urban policing model which mixes control with paternalism." The training includes lectures on the role of police and community policing concepts. Participants, like Angoa, have undergone fingerprinting as part of the program, which he compared to providing fingerprints for voter registration.
Perspectives on International Partnerships
Solomon Islands political figures hold varied views on preferred partners but generally acknowledge the value of the support received. Daniel Waneoroa, Minister for Rural Development, described international support as a "win-win" but noted coordination challenges among multiple partners. Felix Bosokuru, a former politician from Malaita province, expressed a shifting positive view of China's efforts after attending a community leader training session.
Senior opposition figure Peter Kenilorea Jr. acknowledged the utility of the provisions, citing Australia's donation of two Guardian-class patrol boats, which include fuel and crew provisions. However, he expressed concerns that geopolitical competition could create divisions within the police force, with senior figures perceived as aligned with Beijing or Canberra. Kenilorea Jr. also observed Australia's recent use of billboards in Honiara to promote its police partnership and, when asked about which country is succeeding in gaining influence, responded, "China is, definitely."