Pro-China PM retains his seat in Solomon Islands election

INFLUENCE CONCERNS Regional governor Martin Fini, who oversaw the swift expansion of Chinese interests on the island of Malaita, earlier lost his re-election bid, according to the election commission. The province of Malaita refused for years to accept aid or investment from China, bucking the trend as Beijing’s influence expanded across the rest of the … Read more

Solomon Islands election count underway, China critic Suidani regains seat

HONIARA: A prominent Solomon Islands critic of China, the ousted former governor of Malaita province Daniel Suidani, has been reelected, local media reported on Friday (Apr 19), as counting continues in an election being closely watched by China, the US and Australia. The first results in national and provincial elections held in the Solomon Islands … Read more

China’s Pacific ally Solomon Islands expected to call election for April

SYDNEY: Solomon Islands is expected to next week call a national election for April, with China security ties emerging as a key issue as political parties launch campaigns in the Pacific Islands nation. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China soon after the 2019 election that brought him to power, later … Read more