China and Solomon Island’s Signed Security Cooperation Agreement: An Outsider’s Perspective ^Featured

Nuku‘alofa, Tonga

China’s rising regional influence needs to be accommodated; attempts to resist and contain Chinese emergence would likely be unsuccessful and potentially divide countries in the region.

                                  China's Role in the Pacific Islands Region (apcss.org)

Col. (Ret’d) Siamelie Latu

Introduction

The chaos in the Solomon Islands is caused by just one ethnic group, M4D (Malaita for Democracy). They claim they stand for democracy but will threaten anyone who does not agree with their views. Innocent lives have already ruined because of this unacceptable chaos.

In the case of Tonga as a result of the violent act in 2006 by the pro-democracy supporters, many Tongans all over the world no longer trust the pro-democracy leadership and the activities of the group.

More so, we begin to wonder that if this is the way of ‘democracy’ where blood is shed, lives are lost, source of our economy is destroyed, then maybe this tragedy is a ‘warning sign’ that perhaps ‘democracy’ may not be a ‘safe heaven’ for us Tongans at least not for now.

As I was reflecting on this topic and the events which have taken place between China and the Solomon Islands’ Security Cooperation Agreement, I realized that I need to write this article to share my experience as a Fellow of the Centre for Defense and Strategic Studies of the Australian Defense College and as a Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Tonga to the People's Republic of China from 2010 to 2015.

China currently has diplomatic relations with ten PIC countries - the Cook Islands (1997), Federated States of Micronesia (1989), Fiji (1975), Niue (2007), Papua New Guinea (PNG 1976), Samoa (1975), Tonga (1998), and Vanuatu (1982). China and the Solomon Islands have recently established diplomatic relations in 2019. Kiribati has just restored its diplomatic relations with China in 2019 just before the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Amongst these countries, only Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga have military and security cooperation program with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People’s Republic of China. The PLA uses the term ‘military and security cooperation’ for its external engagement.

Such pragmatic military cooperation takes the form of dialogues, personnel training, material assistance and bilateral/multilateral joint exercises and training in both traditional and non-traditional security areas.

Now, the Solomon Islands is following similar pathways in order to diversify its partners to “achieve its security needs” since the country has been ruined by recurring internal violence for years, while maintaining its security agreement with Australia signed in 2017. Unfortunately, it triggers security concerns to its traditional partners Australia, New Zealand and the U.S

Building upon my previous work experience as a soldier and a diplomat and my personal observation of China's diplomacy in the region over the past fifteen years, this article aims to add to the discussion by examining China’s foreign policy vs Solomon Islands’ foreign policy.

What are China’s positions on China-Solomon Island Security Cooperation Agreement? Will China build a military base in the Solomon Islands? What can Solomon Islands gain from this security cooperation arrangements? It must be stressed that, despite the fact that China will follow a peaceful development path, Beijing has emphasized that it will not compromise on issues concerning China's core interests which include "state sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity and national reunification.”

China’s Foreign Policy vs Solomon Islands’ Foreign Policy

China’s influence in the Pacific Islands is by practicing the principle of non-interference in PICs internal affairs. This principle has been listed as one of the cornerstones of Chinese foreign policy since 1950s - the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

Non-interference is the bedrock of China’s foreign policy. China was interfered and bullied by western powers in history, and therefore can fully understand the value of sovereignty and independence of developing countries.

As the largest developing country and permanent member of United Nations Security Council, China respects the legitimate right of Solomon Islands to choose its own developmental path, and stands ready to work together with all parties, groups, and organizations in Solomon Islands, based on One-China Principle, for the purpose of advancing China-Solomon Islands relationship and a shared future of peace and stability.

The Fiji case is an excellent example of how China used its non-interference policy to bolster relations with the PICs. After the 2006 military coup in Fiji, the interim government led by Prime Minister Bainimarama received tough economic and travel sanctions from traditional powers such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Britain.

Fiji was even suspended from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum. China has insisted that countries, big or small, are equal members of the international community and should be treated as equal.

During President Xi's visit to Fiji to meet Pacific Islands' Leaders in 2014, he expounded China's policy and measures to enhance with the PICs a new era, stressing that China is a sincere friend and partner of the PICs.

He clarified that both people have a "natural sense of amity" towards each other, noting that China and Pacific Island countries are all developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and PICs have been good friends who treat each other with sincerity and mutual respect, good partners who work together for development and mutual benefits.

The Pacific Island countries are all sovereign and independent. The region should not be considered "backyard" of other countries. “Friends to all, enemies to none” is the cornerstone of foreign policies of Solomon Islands since 1980 (JOSEPH D. FOUKONA). Solomon Islands continue to uphold "friends to all and enemies to none" and will work with all within the confines of Solomon Islands foreign policy.

This has been a Solomon Islands foreign policy formulation since the 1980s, used to avoid becoming embroiled in rivalries between states. Solomon Islands foreign policy is based on realism – that is, an honest appreciation of its place in the world and in the Pacific.

Tonga as much as the Solomon Islands cannot afford any enemies – indeed, who would want to have any? – but its policy is not merely a negative one, for it has the positive side of seeking out friends in its own interests, in the interests of the region, and we hope also that small as we are, we might have something more to contribute to the common good.

It is undoubtedly clear from Hon. Prime Minister Sogavare’s statement that the Solomon Islands government seeks nothing but peace, secure and prosperous Solomon Islands when it initiated security arrangement with China.

The Hon. Prime Minister made it clear when he addressed his Parliament on security treaty with China that there is no secret deal; but a sovereign issue by a sovereign nation that has the (Solomon Islands) national interest at heart.

As "enemy to none and friends to all foreign policy", he welcomes any country that is willing to support his country in its security space, by diversifying its security space. Furthermore, he elaborated further that his government does not give responsibility to one particular country to bear the burden of its security needs.

Similarly, Tonga maintains an independent voice. Alone among Pacific Islands states, Tonga declined to sign the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty in 1987, but did so later in its own good time some 10 years later.

Tonga appreciated the fact that the first recognition of Tonga as an independent state was France, and was never be forgotten. Treaty with France was formalized in 1855. Tonga still maintains friendly ties with France even when Tonga’s neighbors denied French’s military ships, and aircraft from their territories (Blanc, Bishop, A History of Tonga pp.43).

Tonga started talking to the Russians in the early 1970s much to the displeasure of some of its western allies and friends. And in the Pacific, Tonga refrain from interfering in other countries internal, domestic affairs.

Tonga participated in the first and second World Wars- our soldiers fought alongside New Zealand, Australia and United States troops. In recent years, Tonga participated fully in regional affairs, and contributed to regional peace-keeping efforts. Tonga sent troops to Bougainville as part of the South Pacific Peacekeeping Force during the long crisis there in 1994.

Tonga also sent units of policemen and women, military personnel, and professional civilians in the Solomon Islands as part of RAMSI. Tonga also participated in joint defense exercises and defense cooperation with the United States, New Zealand, Australia and France. In addition, Tonga was part of the Coalition of the Willing contributing to the restoration of civil order in Iraq.

This was in partial recognition of the excellent longstanding relations Tonga had with the United States; and in part a way of reciprocating its gratitude to the United Sates for their defense of the Kingdom in the Second World War.

China is committed to peaceful development and has no intention at all to engage in competition or play power game with other countries in Pacific Islands region. China’s view of the region should be a stage for international cooperation, not an arena for power struggle.

China hopes that relevant countries could abandon ideological prejudice; and make practical contribution to regional stability and sustainable development.

Principle of Sincerity and Practicality.

China upholds the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith to strengthen cooperation with Pacific Island countries. China does not have private interests in the PICs, and does not seek a so-called "sphere of influence". This statement was declared by President Xi during the visit of the Prime Minister of Vanuatu to Beijing on 28 May 2019. China will always be a reliable good friend and partner.

All countries no matter big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. China will continue to work in close collaboration with the PICs to strengthen unity and deepen cooperation based on the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith.

According to China’s Military Strategy, the first white paper of its kind released by the PLA in May 2015, this includes "developing all-round military-to-military relations", "pushing ahead with pragmatic military cooperation" and "fulfilling international responsibilities and obligations" (China's Military Strategy (2015) - Jamestown Foundation).

What are China’s positions on China-Solomon Island Security Cooperation Arrangement ?

First, security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands is based on equality and mutual benefits. It is an integral part of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and legitimate rights of two independent and sovereign countries. It is consistent with the international law and international customary practice, which brooks no foreign interference.

Second, the security cooperation agreement signed between China and Solomon Islands aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in such areas as maintaining social order, protecting people’s lives and property safety, humanitarian assistance and natural disaster relief.

It is conducive to keeping the society of Solomon Islands stable, promoting regional peace and stability and increasing the common interests of regional countries. After riots took place in Solomon Islands last November, China provided multiple batches of police supplies, and dispatched an ad-hoc police advisory team to help enhance local police capabilities at the request of Solomon Islands.

Facts have proven that such cooperation efforts have had positive effects, and won genuine popularity among the government and people of Solomon Islands.

Third, the security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands does not target any third parties, is not in conflict with Solomon Islands’ cooperation with other countries, and complements the existing cooperative mechanisms in the region.

Pacific island countries offer a big platform for international cooperation and should not be seen as the “backyard” of some country, still less an arena for major-power rivalry. Relevant sides should view China-Solomon Islands security cooperation in an objective and rational light and stop making irresponsible remarks.

The attempt to provoke, obstruct and undermine China’s friendly relations with island countries wins no support and will never succeed.

Will China build a military base in the Solomon Islands?

This is utterly misinformation deliberately spread with political motive. Prime Minister of Solomon Islands the Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has made public statement on it loud and clear. All “relevant parties should see the China-Solomon Islands security cooperation objectively and rationally and should not provoke irresponsible remarks”.

An attempt to provoke, obstruct and undermine China’s friendly relations with the island countries is not a popular professional diplomatic statement and will not do any good to China’s diplomatic relation with PICs.

I agree with Dr. Kabutaulaka’s (former director of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa) statement, “China is unlikely to build a naval base in the Solomon Islands. Foreign military outposts are not how Beijing operates.

It currently has only one overseas base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. This is in contrast to the United States, with nearly 800 military bases in 80 countries and regions (Foreign Ministry of China Regular Press Conference April 25, 2022).

Australia is already building a patrol base in Lofung, in the Shortland Islands which borders Papua New Guinea, and has announced that they will build another one in the eastern Solomon Islands. I would venture to suggest that the capacity of these investments should cater for a naval base if the need ever arises in the future.

China’s base in Djibouti was opened in 2017. China doesn't call it a base, but rather a support facility for its naval operations fending off piracy in the Gulf of Aden and for its African peacekeeping operations.

It boasts a 400-metre (1,300-foot) runway and a pier big enough to dock either of China's two operating aircraft carriers. The base, with 2,000 personnel, allows China to position supplies, troops and equipment in a strategically crucial region.

China has law enforcement and security cooperation with many countries in the world, including PNG, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu in the Pacific Region. In 2001, Tonga and the People’s Republic of China, announced their decision to strengthen their “military relations”.

In 2008, His Late Majesty also met the then Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie to “enhance exchange and cooperation between the two militaries”.

What can Solomon Islands gain from this security cooperation agreement?

Solomon Islands needed to rebuild its economy after recent riots, and would sign an air services agreement with China and increase trade. As two sovereign and independent countries, China and Solomon Islands are committed to normal law enforcement and security cooperation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit, which conforms to international laws and customary practices.

The cooperation is conducive to stability and security of Solomon Islands, and will promote common interests of other countries in the region.

The Agreement will further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between China and Solomon Islands in areas such as disaster response, humanitarian aid, development assistance and maintaining social order, to jointly address traditional and non-traditional security challenges. It will inject important positive energy and certainties into the security environment of Solomon Islands and the region as a whole.

The security agreement with Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) is no different, government made that decision and it does so in the interest of the people. The riots of 2006 and much recently in November 2021 have shown that there is yet much to be done. The security treaty with China gives the Solomon Islands options.

The nature of the security pact with PRC is no different to the one that Solomon Islands government has entered into with Australia. The agreement is for the countries concerned to provide security to Solomon Islands in the event that security is required to protect its people and country from external or internal threats.

Conclusion

China-Solomon Islands security cooperation agreement is intended to safeguard national security and maintain social order in Solomon Islands. It is no different from the cooperation of Solomon Islands with other countries. Contrary to the misinformation promoted by anti- government commentators, the agreement does not invite PRC or any other countries for that matter to establish its military base in the Solomon Islands.

If PRC is to set up its military base in the Pacific, it would have done so with either Papua New Guinea or Fiji, the first Pacific Countries to have bilateral relationship with PRC. The government of Solomon Islands is conscious of the security ramification of hosting a military base, and it will not be careless to allow such initiative to take place under its watch.

China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is not in conflict with the existing cooperative mechanisms in the region. They urge relevant parties to be open and inclusive, and place the urgent needs of Pacific Islands countries as priorities. When it comes to security, Solomon Islands’ government will always prioritize the safety of its peace-loving people and their properties.