Australia said on Friday it has agreed to help boost Solomon Islands’ police force with a multi-year funding, training and infrastructure package for the Pacific nation, which has fostered close ties with China.
But in a sign of the competition it faces from Beijing, the Solomons police announced the same day it had received a modest donation from China for its police support fund.
The Australian deal – valued at A$190 million (US$118 million) over four years – will include the construction of a new police training centre in the Solomons’ capital Honiara, Canberra said.
It represents a “new foundation for Australia’s security partnership with the Solomon Islands”, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a news conference.
“What we have done is ensure that Australia remains the security partner of choice.”
Albanese said he sealed the agreement in discussions with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.