'West vs China': Island nation holds vote that could shape region

Manasseh Sogavare (left) signed a security treaty with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang (right) in 2022. Photo: ANDY WONG/POOL AP

The Solomon Islands will take part in elections on Wednesday that have been dubbed «West versus China» due to the country's key strategic position in the South Pacific.

Manasseh Sogavare, The country's prime minister signed a secret security pact with Beijing in 2022, raising fears that China would gain a naval foothold on Australia's doorstep.

He is now seeking an unprecedented second consecutive term, which is even greater deepens ties with China. The opposition leader and potential prime minister contender said: “He [Sogavare] has presented this election as a showdown between the West and China.

“The result will be a reflection of where people stand on some of these issues.”

Peter Kenilorrhea, Opposition in the election race, claims China's influence is clouding the election

Mr Kenilorea, a former UN official and son of the first prime minister of the Solomon Islands, promises to step up development cooperation with trusted international partners such as the UK, US, Australia, Japan and Taiwan.

He also wants to attract foreign and security policy interests that would be unpopular in Beijing.

A victory for the incumbent would simply pull the country into Beijing's sphere of influence, Mr. Kenilorrhea.

Mr Sogavare, an energetic 69-year-old, controversially switched the country's diplomatic support from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019 and has since allowed Chinese aid and investment to flow into the country.

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His government's growing ties to Beijing have alarmed Washington, Canberra and their allies, who fear China's expanding military and economic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.