US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that the US intends to build an embassy in the South Pacific country of Solomon Islands to offset China's presence in the politically volatile Pacific Islands.
The State Department mentioned in confirmation to Congress that Solomon Islanders treasured their background with Americans on World War II battlefronts, but that the US was fearful of missing preferable connections as China 'actively strives to participate' prestigious political leaders and marketing individuals in the Solomon Islands.
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The action comes after violence shook the 700,000-strong nation in November. The riots erupted from a nonviolent demonstration, highlighting long-simmering regional conflicts, economic issues, and fears over the country's growing ties with China. Rioters ransacked businesses and set fire to structures. The next month, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare escaped a no-confidence vote, declaring lawmakers in a furious 90-minute address that he had committed no crime and would not submit to 'the forces of evil' or 'Taiwan's emissaries.'
The United States formerly had an embassy in the Solomon Islands for 5 years until shutting it in 1993. Since then, US diplomats from nearby Papua New Guinea have been affiliated to the Solomon Islands, where the US operates a consular department. The embassy decision is consistent with a new Biden administration policy for theIndo-Pacific, which prioritizes establishing alliances with regional allies to challenge China's expanding influence and aspirations.
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When meeting with the Solomon Islands government and commercial leaders, China used 'a typical pattern of lavish promises, future expensive infrastructure loans, and possibly disastrous debt levels,' according to the State Department. The State Department stated that it does not anticipate constructing a bigger embassy right away, but rather would lease space for the time being for $12.4 million. The embassy would be situated in Honiara, the capital, and would begin modest, with two US personnel and around five local staffers.
According to the State Department, the Peace Corps intends to establish an office in the Solomon Islands and send volunteers there, and numerous US agencies are establishing government posts with responsibilities in the Solomons. Blinken reached Fiji on Saturday after reaching Melbourne, Australia, where he met with colleagues from Australia, India, and Japan. The four countries comprise the so-called 'Quad,' a group of Indo-Pacific democracies formed to resist China's regional dominance. Blinken planned to meet with Pacific Island leaders in Fiji to tackle the climate catastrophe, the coronavirus outbreak, and disaster relief. It was the first travel to Fiji by a US secretary of state since 1985.
