The Latest Breaking News from Solomon Islands

Senior government and military officials from Japan and the United States on Sunday vowed to strengthen cooperation with the Solomon Islands amid increasing Chinese influence, as they gathered in the capital Honiara to mark the 80th anniversary of the World War II Battle of Guadalcanal.

Strengthening ties with the Pacific is a priority for the Biden administration, says a top US diplomat, while warning the region faces a struggle from countries that seek to coerce and pressure the Pacific Islands family.

U.S. President Joe Biden sees strong ties with Pacific Island countries as a priority, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said in the Solomon Islands on Sunday, underscoring the stakes of her visit as tensions have been mounting in the region.

The government of the Solomon Islands is tightening its control over the nation’s state-owned broadcaster

A senior U.S. diplomat will travel to Samoa on Thursday on a multi-leg trip to Pacific Island countries intended to demonstrate re-engagement by the United States with a region in which China has been extending its influence.

All stories are to be approved by the government before broadcast on the SIBC, prompting grave concerns about press freedom

New security pact will pave way for China to deploy navy at Australia’s doorstep

In its latest crackdown on press freedoms, the government seizes editorial control of Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, ordering the organisation to censor stories portraying the government in a negative light.

Senior police boss also did not rule out having Chinese police officers embedded within the force, after signing of controversial security deal

A Chinese state-owned company is negotiating to buy a forestry plantation with a deep-water port and World War II airstrip in Solomon Islands amid concerns that China wants to establish a naval foothold in the South Pacific country

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