Dispelling disinformation

But the difficulties were not only from the island itself, but also from the outside. Attacks and smears from Western countries on the police cooperation were frequent.

Some Western media, for instance, had been hyping the perceived issue of replica guns used in the training, demanding a verification of whether they were real weapons or not. “They aimed to incite public opposition,” Zhang said.

The RSIPF soon refuted such Western claims and showed its support to the joint training. “These things do not in any way threaten the security of this country so far, except they are as good as helping RSIPF in building its tactical knowledge and capabilities,” police commissioner Mostyn Mangau said in a statement.

Some Western countries seized the chance to hype the “China threat theory,” trying to taint normal cooperation and exchanges between China and Pacific island countries.

In response, Zhang said these smear tactics are all based on geopolitics.

“They ( Western countries) are judging from their own standpoint, which is not objective or fair.”

According to Zhang, the China Police Liaison Team received recognition and was welcomed by the local government, police, and public. “They could see and touch our efforts,” Zhang said.

“Moreover, after the riots, it is understandable and natural for China to send personnel to help local police and protect overseas Chinese nationals. Neither the local police force nor the Australian assisting troops were able to protect Chinatown in 2021, and we are not turning a blind eyes to vandalism, arson, and looting which might happen again in the future,” he said.

“Why were there riots in the Solomon islands despite decades of aid from other countries?” Zhang asked. “The police cooperation between China and Solomon Islands is not a threat to regional security and stability, but has effectively promoted regional security and stability. As for some countries ‘ perceiving a threat,' it is because they do not want to see China's influence in the South Pacific region, and only try to maintain control and influence the South Pacific region to achieve their own goals.”

In recent years, China has carried out successful police cooperation with Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, and other Pacific island countries, and has reached numerous achievements in combating transnational crime, promoting anti- epidemic cooperation. The results have effectively maintained regional peace and stability, according to Ambassador Li.