IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha

China in the Solomon Islands: a perplexed presence

Recent developments
On 24 November, violent riots erupted in the Solomon Islands, especially in the island housing the capital. Chinatown was immensely damaged by the violent unrest. The protests even torched shops and executive buildings. A direct reason for these riots is said to be the China-friendly policies and approach of the central government, including cutting off decades-long ties with Taiwan to establish relations with China in 2019. 

Australia provided troops and security staff to stabilize and monitor the situation. However, due to the political nature of the riots, it did not provide security to governmental buildings, avoiding any attribution of a political stance. Despite the security forces, the situation remained grim throughout the week.

On 6 December, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare survived a no-confidence motion in the Parliament and continued his term as a symbol of vindication.

The Chinese factor
A major reason for these riots is said to be the government’s allowance to Chinese intentions to infiltrate the country. There has been a long growing resentment in the unemployed youth and a large ethnic group against the Chinese projects, investments, and settlements. Noting this, many of the shops and businesses burned down were also owned by Chinese nationals. When PM Sogavare switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China (which is a condition from the mainland before finalizing any economic deal), many in the country were unhappy. People have also noted an increased Chinese presence in the country ever since, despite the closing up of borders due to the pandemic. Lately, the presence has been increasing and the locals feel bereft of jobs and facilities. A large mass believes that Chinese projects and businesses provide employment to their nationals rather than an upliftment of the local residents. People are also unhappy about the undelivered promises from the Chinese side regarding the improvement of educational and healthcare centers. Despite such losses incurred by the country, the leadership of PM Sogavare remains favorable towards China, driving the protests.

The internal factors
Apart from the economic deprivation felt due to Chinese involvement, there also exist deep-rooted conflicts within the ethnic and hence political structure of the country. The riots were mostly led by residents or youth from Malaita, the most populous province of the island country. The province is led by regional leader Daniel Suidani who is openly against the Chinese favourability shown by the government. He has also challenged and predicted the fall of the government multiple times. All Chinese investments and firms are banned from the province and away is carved for US aid to center in. He has also threatened to conduct an independence referendum for his province over the Taiwan-China recognition issue. It is also noteworthy that the province shares a long history of ethnic violence and conflict with Honiara, the capital region. Most of the people who participated in the riot were unemployed youth from Malaita. They live on the outskirts of the capital city in poor settlements without electricity and running water. It is only imperative to look at these deeper ethnic, economic, and leadership-based causes rather than merely the triggers.

China’s outlook
Since many Chinese nationals became homeless and lost their livelihoods in the riots, it is a cause for concern. However, the Chinese side has not released any major response or statement over the matter. Spokespersons from the Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands have shown faith in the government and police of the country in managing the situation and urged Chinese nationals to take strong security measures. However, a larger dialogue or outlook remains missing as of now from the Chinese side. The incidents suggest the probability of such incidents in other countries where the government is delighted with Chinese engagement however, the provincial and public opinions differ. China needs to re-evaluate its approach from an autocratic to a more decentralized foreign engagement.

References:
Katherine Hille, “Economic woes, not China, are at the heart of Solomon Islands riots,” Financial Times, 1 December 2021 
“Solomon Islands PM survives no-confidence vote after unrest,” BBC, 6 December 2021
Kirsty Needham, “Solomon Islands prime minister survives no-confidence vote after riots,” Reuters, 6 December 2021
“Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands condemns violence, warns nationals of security risks,” Global Times, 5 December 2021
Shan Jie, “Chinese nationals in the Solomon Islands suffer loss on local riots,” Global Times, 26 November 2021

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Keerthana Nambiar

INTERNAL
President Xi encourages religious groups to adhere to CPC’s theory on religion 
On 5 December, Global Times reported that President Xi Jinping attended the national conference on work related to religious affairs. The conference was held in Beijing on 3 and 4 December 2021. President Xi addressed the conference and put emphasis on upholding the value of developing religions according to Chinese principles. He also propagated the need to provide guidance to religious groups to include them within the Chinese society. Other political leaders also agreed to the ideology and deemed it necessary to integrate the religious minorities into the society. Xi said: “Efforts are needed to better rally and guide religious believers to work together with the general public to develop China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.” (“Xi stresses developing religions in Chinese context,” Global Times, 5 December 2021)

Chinese government stresses improving rural standard of living
On 6 December, Xinhua Net reported that the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council released a five-year action plan to improve the rural living environment. The plan aims to improve the rural living conditions and promote the rural vitalization of the rural Chinese citizens. The plan created a sense of urgency to fasten the pace of rural development and said: “By 2025, the rural living environment should be significantly upgraded, with the penetration rate of clean toilets in rural areas steadily increased, and toilet waste effectively treated.” (“China to accelerate the improvement of the rural living environment,” Xinhua Net, 6 December 2021)

China’s Tansuo-1 research ship brings in data for genetic research concluding the deep-sea ocean expedition 
On 5 December, Tansuo-1, China’s scientific research ship returned after winding its deep-ocean expedition to the Marina Trench to a port in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province. According to the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the vessel conducted its 53- day expedition and collected large organisms, in-situ micro-organisms sediments, and rock samples. The institute claims that the data collected is in use for genetic research on the area for understanding the geological structure. Chinese research teams launched the “Mariana Consensus” which calls in for “the establishment of a standardized system for deep-sea expeditions to realize the long-term preservation and sharing of deep-ocean scientific samples and data, so as to achieve international cooperation on deep-sea expeditions,” reported Xinhua. Along with the Mariana Consensus, the team also launched the Mariana Trench Environment and Ecology Research Project aiming to invite more researchers from China and abroad to study the origins of biodiversity, climate change, and environmental adaptation. (“China's research ship Tansuo-1 returns from deep-ocean expedition,” Xinhua Net, 5 December 2021)

REGIONAL
China-Indonesia deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership
On 5 December, the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Indonesia’s Coordinator for Cooperation with China and Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in east China’s Zhejang Province. Wang called on the two countries “to strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and work jointly towards the direction of building a community with a shared future,” reported Xinhua. He informed that China supports Indonesia in hosting the G20 summit in 2022 with the hope that G20 will play an important role in “promoting world economic recovery and improving global economic governance.” Wang promised that China will continue its cooperation with Indonesia on vaccines, drug research, and various fields and expand its arena to new energy and electric vehicles. Responding to this, Luhut expressed his gratitude to China for vaccines, medicines, and other anti-pandemic materials. He further emphasized that under the Belt and Road Initiative. Indonesia will advance major projects among trade and investment, green development, health care system, and maritime cooperation. (“Chinese FM holds talks with Indonesia's coordinating minister,” Xinhua Net, 6 December 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Foreign Ministry releases report on US democracy
On 5 December, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a report on the state of democracy in the US, a day after it released a White Paper on the Chinese version of democracy. The report detailed the US’ actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, forceful democratization in Africa and Latin America, the US role in Arab Springs, the Capitol riots, and its incapability to control the domestic spread of the coronavirus and the resulting deaths. The report criticized the US for its deep-seated problems in the system, messy and chaotic democratic practices, and lastly the disastrous consequences of the US-led brand of Democracy. (“Abuses, malaises of US democracy exposed in China’s report,” Global Times, 5 December 2021)

President Xi Jinping addresses the Imperial Springs International Forum 
On 5 December, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the Imperial Springs International Forum. President Xi said, “multilateralism is essentially about having international affairs managed by all parties through consultation and the future of the world decided by all countries working together.” Xi stressed the need for the global governance system and the importance of adapting to the “changing international landscape.” In his speech, Xi urged all parties in the forum to take an active part in the Global Development Initiative and stay committed to “development as a priority.” Xi further promised that China is devoted to supporting multilateralism and will “firmly stand by the core values and basic principles of multilateralism, pursue mutual benefit, seek common ground while reserving differences, uphold fairness and justice, promote development through cooperation, and contribute its wisdom and strength to the progress of human civilization”. (“Xi Jinping Delivers a Video Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 2021 Imperial Springs International Forum,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 6 December 2021”: “Xi Focus: Xi pledges unswerving determination to support multilateralism,” Xinhua Net, 5 December 2021)

Belarus introduces new directive advancing China-Belarus bilateral relations
On 5 December, Xinhua reported that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a directive on advancing bilateral relations between Belarus and China on 3 December 2021. According to the presidential press service, this directive further deepens bilateral cooperation between China and Belarus in various arenas continuing the Directive Belarus-China in 2015-2021. “Belarus aims to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership relations with China in 2021-2025 in such fields as political cooperation, maintaining and promoting the values of friendship and mutual support, cooperation in economy, trade, finance, and investment, and implementing the Belt and Road initiative,” reported Xinhua. Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong informed that the Directive shows Lukashenko and the Belarusian government “great importance” to China-Belarus relations. (“Belarusian experts hail presidential directive for better Belarus-China ties,” Xinhua Net, 5 December 2021)