On April 12, Fiji Sun published a signed article by Ambassador Qian Bo entitled China-Solomon Islands Security Cooperation is Conducive to the Regional Peace and Stability. The full text of the article is as follows:

In November 2021, violent riots broke out in Solomon Islands and resulted in huge property losses and social unrest. The Chinese community in Honiara suffered the most, with the whole China Town burnt down to debris and hundreds of Chinese people homeless. This was not the first time that the Chinese community is targeted in social chaos in Solomon Islands. The governments of China and Solomon Islands became seriously concerned and since then have been making joint efforts to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.

On 30 March 2022, upon friendly consultation and then the approval of the two governments, the Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands initialed the framework agreement between China and Solomon Islands on bilateral security cooperation. It is conducive to keeping the society of Solomon Islands stable, promoting regional peace and stability, and enhancing the common interests of regional countries.

Surprisingly, the normal cooperation between the two sovereign countries has been twisted and misinterpreted by a few countries and media as a threat to the regional security and stability, which is totally unacceptable, and “insulting” as interpreted by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Honorable Manasseh Sogavare. As the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, I feel obliged to make the following points clear to our friends in Fiji and the region.

––Like any bilateral cooperation with countries in the region, China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is based on equality and mutual respect. It is an integral part of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and also legitimate rights of two independent and sovereign nations. The two sides conducted equal and full consultation. It is consistent with the international law and international customary practice, which brooks no foreign interference. Relevant parties should earnestly respect Solomon Islands’ independent decisions instead of deciding what others should and should not do self-importantly and condescendingly from a privileged position. Frankly speaking, they have no legal and moral right to point fingers on the above cooperation. Here, I wish to thank the governments of Fiji and many others for their understanding and support.

––The bilateral security cooperation is beneficial to Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands has bitter memories of social unrest in the past decades since its independence. After the riots last November, the government of Solomon Islands decided to diversify its international security cooperation and expand partnerships with China, PNG, Fiji. At the request of the government of Solomon Islands, China provided multiple batches of police supplies and dispatched an ad-hoc police advisory team to help enhance local police capabilities. Further, the cooperation also focuses on areas such as humanitarian assistance and natural disaster relief. Facts have proven that such cooperation efforts have contributed to local stability and won genuine popularity among the people of Solomon Islands. No one is in a better position than the government and people of Solomon Islands to decide with whom they want to cooperate.

––Solomon Islands’ security cooperation with China is no different from its cooperation with other countries. The cooperation is intended to assist in safeguarding national security and maintain social order in Solomon Islands. It does not target any third party, is not in conflict with Solomon Islands’ cooperation with other countries, and complements the existing cooperative mechanisms in the region. The Boe Declaration endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum leaders clearly reaffirmed the right of members to individually and collectively address security issues and concerns. As a sovereign country, Solomon Islands has every right to decide when it needs international security cooperation and assistance. Pacific Island countries are equal members of the international community and should not be seen as the “backyard” or “sphere of influence” of any other country or group of countries, still less an arena for major-power rivalry.

––China-Solomon Islands security cooperation has no military undertones. Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Honorable Manasseh Sogavare has made public statement on it loud and clear. China has law enforcement and security cooperation with many countries in the world, including Fiji, PNG and Vanuatu in the Pacific region. The allegation hyping up that the agreement will lead to regional militarization is totally groundless and ill-intentioned. Speaking of militarization in the South Pacific region, it is worth mentioning that certain countries, regardless of the strong opposition of regional countries, have put the region at the risk of nuclear proliferation and insisted on creating a military clique, which poses serious threats to regional security and stability. This is a wanton affront to and sabotage of the existing mechanism for stability in the region.

––China’s foreign policy is committed to equality of all countries regardless of their size. Non-interference is the bedrock of China’s foreign policy. China was interfered and bullied by western powers in history, and therefore can fully understand the value of sovereignty and independence of developing countries. “Friends to all, enemies to none” is the cornerstone of foreign policies of the most Pacific Island countries. China is committed to peaceful development and has no intention and interest at all to engage in competition or play power game with other countries in the Pacific Islands region. As the largest developing country and permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has always and will continue to respect the legitimate right of Pacific Island countries to reject external interference and support them in pursuing development paths that suit their national conditions.

In short, China is a real friend that the Pacific Island countries can trust since the establishment of the China-PICs relations. The two sides could work together to set a new example of mutual support, solidarity and cooperation between countries of different sizes and with different systems. The more this relationship deepens, more likely the Pacific Island countries’ sovereignty and independence could be better maintained and protected. Relevant parties should be open and inclusive, place the urgent needs of Pacific Island countries as priority in real earnest, view China-Solomon Islands security cooperation in an objective and rational light and stop interfering into the internal affairs of others. The attempt to provoke, obstruct and undermine China’s friendly relations with Pacific Island countries wins no support and is doomed to failure.