Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare described the Australian and US approach to China-Solomon Islands relations as “Un-neighbouring”.
Sogavare stated this on Monday upon his arrival home from his week-long state visit to China.
“The narrow cohesive diplomatic approach by Australia and the United States targeting China-Solomon Islands diplomatic relations is ‘Un-neighbouring’,” Sogavare said.
“This is nothing but interference by foreign states into the internal affairs of Solomon Islands,” he added.
The prime minister called on Australia and the US to show respect to the United Nations charter.
He said Australia and the United States should not fear China’s support for the Solomon Islands policing and security policy.
Police minister Anthony Veke, who was part of Sogavare’s delegation, signed a new police agreement with China in Beijing.
Sogavare claims this new agreement complements Australia and New Zealand’s policing programs, and will “enhance Solomon Islands police capability”.
“The approach taken by Solomon Islands is within the country’s national development strategy, in broadening its security partnership,” Sogavare said.
Sogavare said Solomon Islands will not engage in “power politics’, rather stands with its foreign policy of “Friends to all, and enemy to none.”
He said the trip to China was all about ‘Trade and Development’ to his country.
“We need trade, not aid,” Sogavare said.
Meanwhile, the trip to China was heavily criticized by the Solomon Islands public, including the Leader of the Opposition Mathew Wale.
The opposition also said the lack of transparency in the nine new agreements Sogavare has signed with China is “outrageous”.
Wale said it was shocking to hear such a statement on foreign soil in light of Sogavare’s pledge during last week’s national day celebrations – to pursue an independent foreign policy that does not take sides in the geopolitical struggle between China and the United States.
“For a Prime Minister to imply that China is his home is undiplomatic,” Wale said.