Category: News

TSI wants Government to promote tourism instead of logging

An opinion-piece in the Solomon Star by lobby group, Transparency Solomon Islands, promotes tourism. The opinion-piece criticises the destructive effect of the logging industry to the environment, and recommends that the environment be preserved and returned to its unspoiled state so as to be attractive to international tourists. The opinion-piece states that international tourists visiting Solomon Islands can generate revenue for tourist operators as well as the Government. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

There has been a recent trend of anti-logging pro-environment articles published in the local press and this article continues that trend.

#nonprofitindustrialcomplex

Pro-Taipei article appears in local press

An opinion-piece in the Solomon Star promotes Taipei. The opinion-piece denies media reports that the majority of Members in the DCGA Government support a switch to China, warns that a switch to China would not be in the best interest of Taipei’s relationship with Solomon Islands, and suggests alternative facts to the China situation. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

The pro-Taipei article follows a number of similar pro-Taipei articles that have also been published in the local press and repeats the usual chorus of talking points – of Taipei’s long friendship and support in their development-aid programs, that infrastructure projects promised by China could be a debt trap that could force Solomon Islands to surrender its sovereignty to China, and that the DCGA Government still supports Taipei. The ongoing publication of pro-Taipei articles from apparently ordinary citizens suggests that the press may have an important role in influencing public perception over the China situation. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#astroturfing

Opposition Leader calls Prime Minister liar and incompetent

In an article in the Solomon Star, the Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Wale, calls Prime Minister Sogavare a liar for denying that there is a split within the DCGA Government over the China situation, alleges that DCGA Government Ministers boycotted the recent function aboard Taipei’s naval vessel, and questions the Prime Minister’s competence to handle the China situation. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

While the Opposition Leader criticised Prime Minister Sogavare’s handling of the China situation, it is not clear whether Mr Wale is in favour of establishing diplomatic ties with China.

#politics

Government remains divided over China situation

In an article in the Solomon Star, the Solomon Star says that its sources within the Government confirm that there is a split within the DCGA Government over the China situation. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

This appears to contradict the statement from Prime Minister Sogavare that the DCGA Government was united on the China situation. At this stage, the press have not identified by name which Members in particular are in favour of switching to China except to say that the Members are from Guadalcanal and Malaita provinces. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#politics

UN forest conservation project likely to curtail logging and oil palm activities

A workshop was held recently in Auki, attended by provincial government heads and relevant agencies of Malaita Province, to launch a multi-million dollar United Nations project called the Integrated Forest Management project. (Source: Solomon Star, 23 May 2019)

The IFM project is specifically targeted at achieving various environment-related policy objectives identified by the UN. The project will look to establish 5 protected forest conservation areas in Malaita, Guadalcanal, Western, Choiseul, and Makira provinces, and may also look to influence the Government to put in place policies and laws to support the project. Commercial logging and oil palm plantations are likely to be adversely affected by the project which sees these activities and the expansion of such activities as opposite the policy objectives of the project. The involvement of key stakeholders, at the national, provincial, and local levels will be crucial to the success of the project and the workshop may go some way in instilling that belief in its participants.

#developmentaidindustrialcomplex

Marine conservation group complains about sea cucumber harvesting

The Arnavon Community Marine Park Management Committee, which looks after the Arnavon Community Marine Park, a protected area, recently held a workshop which was attended by representatives from various community, national and provincial governments, and environment charity group, The Nature Conservancy. The issue of sea cucumber (also known as beche de mer) harvesting within the protected area was raised at the workshop and the ACMP Management Committee called on the enforcement agencies and relevant government agencies to address the issue. (Source: Solomon Star, 23 May 2019)

The harvesting for export of sea cucumbers is a lucrative economic activity, especially for those who do not have significant land resources and therefore rely on the marine environment as their primary source of income. The Government has attempted to control over-harvesting by banning the harvesting of sea cucumbers except during certain periods. The establishment of protected marine areas has meant that certain marine areas where sea cucumbers are located are now off limits. Environment interest groups will prefer that those marine areas be left for the benefit of the marine animals and that people consider alternative modes of income generating activities, such as ecotourism and seeking donations for their environmental cause.

#nonprofitindustrialcomplex

New information security and cyber crime law soon

A one-day workshop was recently held in Honiara to discuss the creation of a new information security and cyber crime law. (Source: Solomon Star, 23 May 2019)

The soon to be completed submarine cable project – part of the Coral Sea Cable System – will link Solomon Islands to Australia’s internet network. For security reasons, Australia may want Solomon Islands to have in place appropriate laws to regulate the use of that network. It will be interesting to see how the internet will be regulated under the proposed new law.

#hegemony

Pro-Taipei article quoting Guadalcanal man appears in local press

A Guadalcanal man has told the Solomon Star of his support for Taipei, and called on the country, and on the DCGA Government in particular, to appreciate Taipei for what it had done over the years. He said he would be disappointed if the Solomon Islands switched to China. (Source: Solomon Star, 23 May 2019)

Given the continuing uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China, the issue remains a hot topic. The press have published many articles on the issue, and this recent article continues a trend of articles featuring pro-Taipei comments sourced from citizens of Solomon Islands. According to recent media reports, Taipei may be having some trouble communicating with the DCGA Government, and Taipei would hope that this pro-Taipei article can influence public perception in their favour, and perhaps nudge the DCGA Government to look their way instead of towards China. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#astroturfing