Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

Solomon Islands Explains It Wanted China References Stripped From U.S.-Pacific Island Countries’ Accord

U.S. President Joe Biden posing with Pacific Island leaders during the U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2022. Oliver Contreras / AFP

The Solomon Islands caused a bit of a stir last month at a summit in Washington, D.C. when it refused to sign an initial draft of an accord between the U.S. and more than a dozen Pacific nations. Now, we know why.

“There were some references that put us in a position where we’ll have to choose sides (between the U.S. and China), and we did not want to be placed in a position where we have to choose sides,” explained Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele during a Tuesday press briefing in the New Zealand capital Wellington.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.