U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia, W Patrick Murphy, on a recent visit to Australia to discuss expanding their security alliance, says that China’s attempt to reduce Taipei’s influence in the Pacific region – referring to the possibility that Solomon Islands may switch to China – was heavy handed and warned that it could cause tension leading to the possibility of conflict. The U.S. official criticised China’s growing presence in the Pacific region saying that this could destabilize U.S. commercial, navigation, and overflight interests since China did not adhere to U.S. rules or U.S. international standards. (Source: Associated Press, 24 May 2019)

The U.S. official’s visit to Australia to discuss expanding their security alliance suggests the U.S. and Australia have common interests in the Pacific region and may have plans in place to expand their security presence in neighbouring Pacific countries – including Solomon Islands with its vast resource-rich oceans – to counter China’s growing presence in the region and maintain their sphere of influence in the region. The U.S. has already made known in the media their preference for Solomon Islands not to switch to China. It will be interesting to see how the DCGA Government reacts to the U.S. official’s suggestion.

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