The China “Threat” and the Solomon Islands
CounterPunchAPR 2022
Solomon Islands Awaits Vote Count After Closely Watched Elections
Image copyright: Chris Jackson/Staff/Chris Jackson Collection via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
China's growing influence in the Pacific is a major threat to regional safety. If Sogavare achieves an unprecedented second term, then the archipelago will strengthen its ties with Beijing — otherwise, the nation will change its global path. Beyond geopolitics, democracy in the Solomon Islands could also be at risk if Sogavare wins.
Pro-China narrative
To counteract China's regional influence, the US may try to steal the election in the Solomon Islands through so-called democracy promotion operations. The American embassy in Honiara has, of course, denied any involvement and called accusations against it disinformation — but isn't this election a textbook example of how the US meddles in other nation's affairs?