This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Witnesses posted images on social media of smoke rising from the capital, Honiara, and said Chinese-owned businesses were being targeted. The Solomon Islands government said the deployment would support the riot control and security of critical infrastructure, a day after the prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, expressed grave concern and called for all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens and organisations. Canberra said that the move was in response to a request from Mr Sogavare under an existing security agreement between the two countries and should not be seen as taking a position in Solomon Islands internal affairs. A delegation of 75 federal police officers, 43 troops and at least five diplomats are heading to the islands to provide stability and security and help local authorities to guard important infrastructure, according to Morrison.
Mr Sogavare said his government is still in control. He said today, I stand before you to tell you that our country is safe, your government is in place and continues to lead our nation. He said that those responsible would face the full brunt of the law People on the island complained of neglect by the central government and strongly opposed the decision to change the country s diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to China in 2019.
The protesters took to the streets again on Thursday after taking over a 36 hour lockdown imposed in the wake of Wednesday s unrest. On Friday, as Australian troops arrived, the PM pinned the protests on unspecified foreign states, saying demonstrators had been fed false and deliberate lies about the islands relationship with Beijing. The countries that are now influencing the protesters are the countries that don't want ties with the People's Republic of China, and they are discouraging the Solomon Islands to enter diplomatic relations, according to Mr Sogavare. The PM didn't specifically mention which country he was talking about. France fears becoming victim of Germany's coalition REPORT Britain stands firm in fishing feud with France COMMENT France summons emergency meeting in DAYS EU panic over the migrant hell REVEAL The Solomon Islands were one of the few nations in the world that recognised the island of Taiwan as an independent state. In the year 2019 the island nation broke ties with Taiwan and realigned its allegiance to Beijing. Australia has taken a big step towards becoming a regional security partner after the signing of the so-called AUKUS deal with the US and the UK. China has taken a strong diplomatic stance against the AUKUS deal and has increased its military powers in the area.