Australia has committed over $100 million to support the Solomon Islands in expanding its police force, marking a significant investment in the Pacific nation’s security infrastructure. The move comes as part of a four-year, A$190 million (US$118 million) initiative aimed at reducing the Solomon Islands’ reliance on external security partners and reinforcing its sovereignty. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that this funding would help the Solomon Islands develop a self-sustaining security capability, positioning Australia as the nation’s “security partner of choice.”
The announcement, made on Friday, underscores the ongoing competition in the Pacific Islands region, where the U.S. and Australia are working to curb China’s growing influence. This contest for influence in the Pacific intensified following the 2022 security pact between the Solomon Islands and China, which raised concerns about Beijing’s expanding footprint in the region. Manasseh Sogavare, the then-Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, signed the deal, sparking fears of China potentially establishing a military presence in the archipelago.
In a joint statement with his Solomon Islands counterpart, Jeremiah Manele, Albanese outlined the objectives of the new funding, which will help the Solomon Islands double the size of its police force. Manele had requested the funds to bolster the police force to 3,000 officers, a significant increase from the current level. The funding is seen as an effort to build a more resilient security framework for the Solomon Islands, which has faced challenges ranging from internal unrest to external geopolitical competition.
The Australian Prime Minister emphasized that this financial commitment would not only boost the domestic security of the Solomon Islands but also contribute to regional stability within the broader Pacific region. Australia has long played a crucial role in supporting the Solomon Islands’ security, having provided police assistance from 2003 to 2017 during the nation’s internal conflict. In 2021, Australian police once again stepped in to quell riots and support the national elections earlier this year. The Australian government’s support for the Solomon Islands has thus been consistent, helping to maintain peace and order during periods of political instability.
Despite these close ties, the Solomon Islands’ security relationships have become increasingly complex. Since 2022, the country has hosted a small Chinese police contingent, marking the first time China has established a formal security presence in the nation. This development is part of the broader context in which Australia and the United States are seeking to limit China’s growing security presence in the Pacific. China has not only invested in the region economically but has also cultivated security and military partnerships, which has raised concerns among Australia and its allies.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, responding to the announcement, reiterated Beijing’s position that no nation should treat Pacific Islands countries as its “backyard.” The statement called for mutual respect for the independence and sovereignty of these nations, urging external powers to refrain from interfering in their internal affairs. This rhetoric highlights the sensitivity surrounding the region, where countries like the Solomon Islands navigate competing pressures from both Western powers and China.
Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute think tank, commented that the Solomon Islands’ security sector remains “highly contested,” and that while the Australian funding ensures its ongoing influence, it may not necessarily slow China’s ambitions in the region. Sora noted that while the Solomon Islands government had requested additional support from Australia, it had not agreed to scale back its security ties with China. For Australia, the primary concern remains the Solomon Islands’ security relationships with China, which it sees as a strategic challenge.
In addition to the support for the Solomon Islands, Australia has been strengthening its security relationships with other Pacific nations. In December, Australia finalized a police funding agreement with Nauru, which includes a clause giving Australia veto power over any use of Nauru’s port or airport by China for security purposes. Meanwhile, a sports deal with Papua New Guinea includes provisions to withdraw support if the nation establishes police ties with China.
The broader context for these efforts lies in the Pacific Islands Forum’s agreement in August to create a regional policing strategy. This strategy aims to enhance the security capabilities of Pacific nations within the “Pacific family.” China, however, is not a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, and its growing involvement in the region remains a point of contention among its regional neighbors.
As the geopolitical dynamics in the Pacific continue to evolve, Australia’s new investment in the Solomon Islands signals its determination to maintain a strong security presence in the region. While this funding may help shore up Australia’s position, the broader competition for influence, particularly with China, is likely to remain a central feature of Pacific geopolitics in the years to come.
