MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The country in which China has gained most influence in the South Pacific, Solomon Islands, goes to the polls on Wednesday in an election that could shape the region’s future.
Though it has less than 1 million citizens, the Solomon Islands is caught up in a very big game with the world superpowers. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare — who is pro-China — is asking voters on April 17 to choose a future aligned with China and not the West. Alarmed, the US is now starting […]
China has been courting influence with countries in the South Pacific – and the Solomon Islands have been its biggest success. An election this week could change that.
Voting has closed across Solomon Islands on Wednesday in the South Pacific nation’s first general election since the government switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy gaining a foothold in the region.
Solomon Islanders began voting Wednesday in an election that could reshape regional security, with citizens effectively choosing if their Pacific nation
The election will be the first since PM Manasseh Sogavare signed a security pact with China, which led to anti-government riots in the capital. Some opposition figures have urged the deal be terminated.
Voting began across the Solomon Islands on Wednesday in the South Pacific nation's first general election since the government switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy gaining a foothold in the region.
Solomon Islanders began voting Wednesday in an election that could reshape regional security, with citizens effectively choosing if their Pacific nation will deepen ties with China
