Solomon Islands Strengthen Ties with China through Policing Agreement

The Solomon Islands and China have signed a police cooperation pact, marking an upgrade in their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership." This comes four years after the Pacific nation switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China. The agreement was among nine deals signed during Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's visit to Beijing, which also included agreements in civil aviation, trade, economy, technology, and sports. China pledged support for the Solomon Islands' development, including infrastructure projects and assistance for the upcoming Pacific Games. The United States expressed respect for the Solomon Islands' sovereign decisions while emphasizing the importance of transparency and regional security discussions.