https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-04/solomon-islands-manasseh-sogavare-criticises-west-praises-china/101038296
Well well well ... anything to say albanese? Feel like a clown?
Just remind me, who were the PM, the foreign affairs minister & the defence minister? Were they Labor people? Maybe those 3 should have seen this coming and done something about it. I can almost hear their excuses: "that isn't my job".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-04/solomon-islands-manasseh-sogavare-criticises-west-praises-china/101038296
Well well well ... anything to say albanese? Feel like a clown?
His people don't agree with him but try voting him out when the polling station is a Chinese army base.
Current affair had a segment on him tonight and it's a clear threat to Pacific security with Townsville seen as a military target given it would be a military base for our forces.
Disgraceful views on Ukraine and he is just singing from the Xi song book of world politics. He needs removing and that agreement with China torn up.
You realise that singing from the Xi songbook is part of the deal (and given the partnership with no limits with Russia, that involves being pro-Putin)? The idea was to prevent the deal from happening.
You realise that singing from the Xi songbook is part of the deal (and given the partnership with no limits with Russia, that involves being pro-Putin)? The idea was to prevent the deal from happening.
You realize there was no chance of the deal not happening given China had bought out Sogavare and his ministers not just with money but with the promise of keeping him in power.....not Liberal , not Labor was going to stop this going through unless Sogavare was removed from office but he was already touring China in 2019 setting the wheels in motion. The USA sat back and did nothing....the Solly Islands will now have a nice new airstrip to land those Chinese J20's on and a brand new sports stadium to learn about drug cheating at the Olympics.
They already have a foothold in Solomon islands business and mining their resources, sadly its too late as expansionist China have won this battle. The only way is a military coup like Fiji had before China get their military sorted on the islands........
You realise that singing from the Xi songbook is part of the deal (and given the partnership with no limits with Russia, that involves being pro-Putin)? The idea was to prevent the deal from happening.
You realise that his lust for money and power overrode any possible maintenance of an alliance with what Australia might have been able to provide? You realise he's just played off the Yuan against the Australian dollar and destroyed a decades long friendship?
The Robert Mugabe of the South Pacific.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmp51YN-7wc
Just another day in Honiara....
So, it's another case of things that can't be blamed on Slomo. Pity Labor wasn't in power so you could go on about how the pinkos in power allowed China to waltz right into our backyard.
It happened on his watch. Sounds like at least one government department was asleep at the wheel.
If folks think this is a recent problem that could have been resolved with a bit of an intervention in the last year or two they should probably have a bit of a look at the Solomon Island history over the last thirty years.
There have been deep divisions in the country between different island groups.
Sogavare has far from universal support.
There has been Chinese influence (including bribery) for many years resulting in a lot of anti-Chinese feeling.
Sogavare has always been a bit anti Australian and pro Chinese.
He resented the presence of Australian and New Zealand forces way back in the early 2000's
His government withdrew recognition of Taiwan a few years back.
The place is basically rooted, despite a lot of intervention from regional countries in attempts to restore order.
The troubles will only get worse...so put in that position who do we think Sogavare will call on to help him retain his position and maintain order.
It's a complex situation, and has been a long while in developing than just the last year or two.
All the media coverage is ignoring the extreme displeasure that the locals have about the situation. Just like Fiji and most Pacific Island nations, the locals see Chinese and Indians as job stealers that weasel their way into local businesses and bureaucracy with filthy lire by buying politicians.
There is no prim and proper political correctness in these regions, they don't even like the tribe down the road!
Do not disregard the distress and distrust this will cause on those islands, possibly the only way Sogavare can survive this for any length of time is inviting the devil in as his bodyguard and that also seals his fate!
A perfect recipe for civil unrest. I think the population deserve a helluva lot more than this blatant corruption.
It was interesting to see the former Australian high commissioner to the Solomon Islands manhandled by Scotty's protection detachment when he tried to speak to Scotty about the Government's inept handling of the CCP's incursions into our neighbourhood. Apart from another example of Scotty refusing to listen to folk who know a hell of lot more than he and Mr Potato Head, how is it that our PM's protection detachment can assault a harmless, elderly fellow?
Our new Government will have quite a challenge in turning the Solomons situation around.
Samoa the latest Pacific nation to be bought off by the Chinese Yuan, doesnt matter what Governement is running Australia we cant compete with the offerings of the Chinese and these poverty nations will fall like dominoes as the Chinese ramp up their interest and military position in the Pacific.
The Federated States of Micronesia......?never heard of it?, either had I, but they are not so keen on any Chinese partnership but thats understandable given the USA subsidize this collection of states that join as a country.
Wonder how many more Pacific islands will become part of the Chinese empire.....
https://au.news.yahoo.com/australia-warned-over-chinas-new-deal-with-samoa-054847385.html
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/china-shelves-pacific-regional-agreement/ar-AAXS6i2?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=5ccfde60c0bb40caa243b974bd5189ba
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/china-shelves-pacific-regional-agreement/ar-AAXS6i2?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=5ccfde60c0bb40caa243b974bd5189ba
Penny Wong’s trip seems to have paid off. Hopefully we will continue to engage with our Pacific neighbours and encourage them to be cautious in their dealings with China.
Wang Yi must be just a little p1ssed off that our new government wasted no time in getting on the front foot with the region.
Sounds like China were interfering in our election.
Sounds like China were interfering in our election.
If so, they didn’t get the outcome they were after.
If so, they didn’t get the outcome they were after.
Maybe they did.
Labour have sold themselves in the past as China's gateway to Australia.
Maybe they did.
Labour have sold themselves in the past as China's gateway to Australia.
Yep
Maybe they did.
Labour have sold themselves in the past as China's gateway to Australia.
Belts and Roads.
Maybe they did.
Labour have sold themselves in the past as China's gateway to Australia.
Why then did Penny Wong undermine Wang Yi’s Pacific agreement?
There’s a difference between making headline grabbing statements while flogging off the port of Darwin and seeking an accord while kicking diplomatic goals.
China have the Solomans and now have Samoa which is only 40ks away from a USA installation at Western Samoa.
Penny Wong might have delayed the other agreement but it's going to happen one by one.Fiji have signed economic agreements with China and I wouldn't trust Frank Barneybanana as far as I could throw him.
I'll be interested to see if Labor can stop the sale of Yancoal to the Chinese as well.Being the major shareholder they have offered below market value imo and the government should can the Yankueng energy company aquiring the remaining shares. Let's see if Labor can separate kissing and making up with China, their commitment to climate change and foreign investment rules.
Kiribati the next Pacific nation inline to fall under the Chinese umbrella. They have denounced Taiwan a couple of years ago and are now selling out for the money by signing agreements with the Chinese.
What would China want with little Kiribati?
That nice deep water docking pier built for big cruise ships but also perfect for Chinese Warships perhaps or maybe their rich fishing area the size of California.
Who is next, looks like Tonga who are about to or have signed new economic and aid agreements with our Chinese friends.
Of course Tonga observe the one China only policy...no love for Taiwan.
The fish won't last long, and there will be no tourists visiting the remaining barren reefs and desert seascape.
The reefs protect the beaches, the sand and palm trees only survive because they are continually rebuilt, as the reefs die the beaches and foreshore will lose protection and there goes the beachfront neighbourhood. Long before then the corrupt cashed up politicians would have moved to a Manhattan penthouse, and spend there semi-retired days tch tching at the world for not doing enough to help island nations from being environmentally raped by it's manipulative invaders. While the world's socialists and eco-terrorists flagellate themselves weeping like a chorus enviro agony aunts singing a Nick Cave malady melody.
Or it could work out just fine! :o