China sending more police to Solomon Islands for Pacific Games security

Concern is mounting in Canberra after Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced that China is sending additional police to the country to help provide security for the Pacific Games. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force on Monday received another donation of police equipment from China's Ministry of Public Security - including metal detectors, two drones and police uniforms - during a ceremony at its main headquarters in Honiara. "Prime Minister Sogavare stated, as part of preparation for the Pacific Games 2023, People's Republic of China's Ministry of Public Security increased the personnel input of the China Police Liaison Team as well as conducted comprehensive security training for the RSIPF police officers," Mr Sogavare's office said. Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham said if there was a shortfall in security for the Pacific Games then Solomon Islands should turn to Australia and Pacific Island nations for help, rather than China. "We've made clear to Solomon Islands government that we stand ready to support Solomon Islands in its very significant events being the Pacific Games, but also its election next year in terms of the security and policing effort, which needs to occur as part of that," he said. The latest police equipment donation from China comes in the wake of Australia's move to repair and refurbish several key facilities for the RSIPF for the Pacific Games, including the Police Operations Centre and the police traffic centre in Kukum, which was severely damaged during riots in late 2021. "At the request of the Solomon Islands government, Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force personnel are supporting the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to deliver a safe and secure event, working with partners from Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand," they said.