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Name: #vantageonfirstpost #solomonislands #securitypact #china #elections… | Firstpost
Uploaded: 2024-04-18T02:30:01.283Z
Duration: 4 min 46 s
Channel: Firstpost

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#VantageOnFirstpost Secret Chinese "Security Pact" to Influence Solomon Islands Election? | Vantage with Palki Sharma The Solomon Islands went to polls today, about 420,000 people in the nation of 700,000 were eligible to vote. They went out to vote for 50 members of parliament, and decide the direction the country will take over the next four years. But its not just local issues that are on the ballot. The election is also being seen as a referendum on China. The Solomon Islands, under their Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, have been growing close to China over the last 5 years. Sogavare even signed a secret "security pact" with Beijing in 2022. The details haven't been revealed to the public. And some in the Solomon Islands are worried about China's growing influence. --- Solomon Islands | Security Pact | China | Elections | Firstpost | World News | News Live | Vantage | Palki Sharma | News #solomonislands #securitypact #china #elections #firstpost #vantageonfirstpost #palkisharma #worldnews

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Our next story is from the other side of the world, from an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands went to polls today. But this election was a bit unusual because it wasn't just about local politics. It was also a vote on China. For the past five years, China has been making inroads in the Solomon Islands. Beijing has an ally in the incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. He signed a secret security pact with China in the year 2022. The people of the Solomons have not been told. The details of this fact and some are wary about Beijing's growing influence. Which is why today's polls are almost a referendum on China, and the country is doing everything to ensure that the results go Beijing's way. Here's our report. These are the Solomon Islands, a nation in the Pacific Ocean made-up of six major islands and more than 900 smaller ones. These islands are home to about 700,000 people. And more than half of them were eligible to vote today. The Solomon Islands held their parliamentary election earlier in the day. People were lining up as early as 4:00 AM in some places, waiting for the polling booths to open at 7:00. And cast a vote that could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Pacific. Because these elections aren't just about the Solomon Islands. They are also a referendum on China. We have severed ties with Taiwan and now we we have diplomatic ties with China. I think for me, I was hoping that. That will bring good change for this country. But but I've yet to see that happen. She had to happen. In 2019, the Solomon Islands withdrew their recognition of Taiwan. Instead, they decided to open ties with China. This was done under the incumbent Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare. Sugari has spent most of the last five years bringing his country closer to China. And Beijing has rewarded him with funds in the form of wood, gifts and investments. China built a stadium for sugary at the cost of about $119 million. Beijing called it a gift with no strings attached. But this is China. A price had already been extracted in the form of a clandestine security deal. The deal was inked in 2022, but no one is sure about what it entails. Sogavare has kept the details hidden from the public. A central man, Islander. I feel that it's not that really OK, the fact that uh, I think the whole population didn't know what actually is in that security pack deal. So I think the if we know more about what's in the security package deal than there I should say that I will put my. Clear view or opinion on whether it's good for Solomon Islands or not. That is why this election is being seen as a referendum on China. The Solomon Islands were traditionally close to the West, especially neighbouring Australia, but the pivot to China has put the islands at the centre of a geopolitical Cold War. The West is worried that China will use the Solomon Islands to get a foothold in the Pacific, and that they will do anything to keep their allies, Sugarberry in power. This includes meddling in the elections, which Beijing already seems to be doing. Take a look at these Facebook posts from the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands. Less than a week ago, they were giving away computers, solar powered lights and fishing Nets. Four days ago they donated money to renovate a school hall. They also announced a new broadband infrastructure project, all on the eve of elections. It's brazen election interference. And then China says this. China has been upholding the principle of non interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We support the people of the Solomon Islands in choosing the development path in line with their national condition independently. China has been backing Sogavare's reelection bid. He has promised to deepen his ties with Beijing if he returns to power. Will Solomon Islanders allow this? Will they let Beijing get a tighter grip on their nation? We'll find out when the results come out in a few days.

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