China has continued to invest financially in Solomon Islands, prompting the United States to rekindle its engagement with the region, including reopening its embassy in Honiara and boosting investment efforts. The US and its allies reacted strongly to the deal over concerns about Beijing’s naval ambitions in the strategically located region with decades of strong American military presence, especially given the secrecy over the details of the agreement. Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged economic and technological aid with “no political preconditions” for Solomon Islands – Beijing’s first close security partner in the strategically important South Pacific. Xi and Sogavare also announced the setting up of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” and signed a joint statement for “mutual respect and co-development”. Is China killing US dominance?
