New government in Solomon Islands has choices to make

Significance Marles indicated that Manele’s governing coalition, which had emerged earlier in May from April’s inconclusive general election, regards Australia as its “partner of choice”, but recently forged ties with China may remain strong. Impacts Both China’s Pacific Islands envoy and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met Manele last week to underline interest in the country. A clear government preference for Beijing going forward risks undermining political stability in the Solomons. Canberra will try to create business partnerships to counter China’s economic influence in the country.