Solomon Islands should be ‘wary of US intervention’ amid vote count and govt forming

The Solomon Islands election is shaping up to be a tight race, and Chinese experts said that regardless of the result, the government should act in the best interests of the country and not miss out on the development opportunities, considering fruitful results have been achieved over the past several years during the island nation’s cooperation with China.

Counting for several seats continued on Monday, as results showed the opposition CARE coalition drawing level with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s OUR party on 12 seats in a 50-seat parliament, according to Reuters.

Independents and micro parties took 16 seats, and the major parties will seek to win independent support in negotiations this week in the race to form a government.

Ever since the election kicked off, Western media has been unceasingly hyping that the result will have a huge impact on China’s influence in Solomon Islands and in the South Pacific region.

Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University said that China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs. The election process in the Solomon Islands is a response to the will of the people and has no relation to China, he added.

“Since Sogavare came to power, he has developed mutually beneficial diplomatic relations with China, leading to tangible improvements in the country’s economy and livelihoods, which has made some Western countries resentful,” Chen said.

Chen pointed out that the South Pacific region is a key point in the US’ antiChina strategy, and the Solomon Islands is an important country in the region.

No matter who is elected, the Solomon Islands should be cautious of foreign intervention during vote counting and government forming, particularly of instigation by the US either directly or through its proxy Australia, expert warned.

Chen stated that with all the various parties in the Solomon Islands, it cannot be ruled out that a coalition government will be formed as a result, which will help maintain policy stability.