China and Solomon Islands Strengthen Ties with Policing Pact

China and the Solomon Islands have signed a police cooperation pact as part of an upgrade in their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership." This comes four years after the Solomon Islands switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China. The signing of the pact was among nine deals reached during the visit of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to Beijing. The move has raised concerns from the United States and neighboring countries. China has pledged to continue providing assistance to enhance the Solomon Islands' law enforcement capacity, while the two countries also agreed to strengthen economic and technical cooperation.