Australia to Offer Police Cooperation to New Solomon Islands PM to Counter China

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with new Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale today, June 3, and will propose a police cooperation agreement to strengthen Australia's influence in the Pacific region while countering China's expanding reach into the Pacific. The Australian newspaper reported today that the security agreement signed between Solomon Islands and China in 2022 dealt a blow to Australia and other Pacific island nations trying to contain China's reach into the region. Therefore, the trilateral relationship between Australia, Solomon Islands, and China is expected to be a key topic in the Albanese-Wale meeting. During their meeting, Albanese will suggest that Australia and Solomon Islands sign a memorandum of understanding for an Australian-led regional policing initiative. Fiji and New Zealand have already joined this Australian-led policing initiative, which focuses on Australia providing police training and other support to improve security in the region. The report also noted that following the Solomon Islands-China security agreement, Beijing has deployed over 10 police officers in the country and is collecting biometric data from residents. Solomon Islands has yet to sign the memorandum of understanding for the Australian-led regional policing initiative. Additionally, Australia hopes to discuss expanding the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to reduce the country's dependence on Chinese police. The report mentioned that while Australian authorities are unlikely to publicly demand that Solomon Islands scrap its security agreement with China, Australia will suggest limiting the operational authority of Chinese police. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong publicly stated in May that Australia and China are in a "permanent contest" in the Pacific region. After meeting with Wale yesterday, she said that Wale's choice of Australia for his first overseas visit since taking office "shows the closeness of our relationship." During his visit to Australia, Wale will also meet with Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen and senior defense officials.