Solomon Islands: Difference between revisions
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz |
George Swan (talk | contribs) (add reference) |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
*[[Yandina Island]] | *[[Yandina Island]] | ||
*[[Santa Cruz Islands]] | *[[Santa Cruz Islands]] | ||
*[[San Cristobal | *[[San Cristobal]] | ||
*[[Malaita Island]] | *[[Malaita Island]] | ||
*[[Rennell Island]] | *[[Rennell Island]] | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
===Independence=== | ===Independence=== | ||
Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. | Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. | ||
====Assistance==== | ====Australian Assistance==== | ||
In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza asked for Australian assistance to reestablish law and order. In July, the Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias, and has remained effective.<ref name=Solomon-Fact>{{citation | In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza asked for Australian assistance to reestablish law and order. In July, the Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias, and has remained effective.<ref name=Solomon-Fact>{{citation | ||
| contribution = Solomons Islands | | contribution = Solomons Islands | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
| url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/bp.html | | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/bp.html | ||
| author = [[Central Intelligence Agency]]}}</ref> | | author = [[Central Intelligence Agency]]}}</ref> | ||
====Security pact with China==== | |||
In late March, 2022, China and the Solomon Islands signed the preliminary draft of an agreement described as a "security pact".<ref name=Reuters2022-03-25/><ref name=Reuters2022-04-01/> | |||
According to ''[[Reuters]]'' the agreement would be a ''"major inroad"'' by China into a region where smaller nations traditionally looked to Australia and the [[United States]].<ref name=Reuters2022-04-18/> | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
| | |||
The Solomon Islands said in March that it was creating a partnership with China to tackle security threats and ensure a safe environment for investment in what would be a major inroad for Beijing in a region that U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand have for decades seen as their "backyard."<ref name=Reuters2022-04-18/> | |||
|} | |||
In February 2022 the [[United States of America]] announced it would be reopening its embassy.<ref name=cp24-2022-04-13/> The reopening of the embassy, closed in 1993, was widely described as a reaction to China's attempt to exert further influence on the Solomon Islands.<ref name=Reuters2022-02-12/> | |||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. <ref name=Solomon-Fact /> | The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. <ref name=Solomon-Fact /> | ||
| Line 34: | Line 46: | ||
RAMSI was able to rebuild the economy, damaged by violence. | RAMSI was able to rebuild the economy, damaged by violence. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist|refs= | ||
{{cite news | |||
| url = | |||
| title = | |||
| work = | |||
| author = | |||
| date = | |||
| page = | |||
| location = | |||
| isbn = | |||
| language = | |||
| trans-title = | |||
| archiveurl = | |||
| archivedate = | |||
| accessdate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| url-status = live | |||
| quote = | |||
}} | |||
</ref> | |||
{{cite news | |||
| url = | |||
| title = | |||
| work = | |||
| author = | |||
| date = | |||
| page = | |||
| location = | |||
| isbn = | |||
| language = | |||
| trans-title = | |||
| archiveurl = | |||
| archivedate = | |||
| accessdate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| url-status = live | |||
| quote = | |||
}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name=cp24-2022-04-13> | |||
{{cite news | |||
| url = https://www.cp24.com/world/western-pressure-mounts-on-solomon-islands-to-quash-pact-with-china-1.5859962?cache=yes%2F7.400421%3FclipId%3D104056 | |||
| title = Western pressure mounts on Solomon Islands to quash pact with China | |||
| work = [[CP24]] | |||
| author = Rod Mcguirk | |||
| date = 2022-04-13 | |||
| location = [[Canberra, Australia]] | |||
| archiveurl = | |||
| archivedate = | |||
| accessdate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| url-status = live | |||
| quote = The announcement of reopening the embassy, which has been closed since 1993, came in February before the security pact came to light, but amid already growing concerns about Chinese influence in the strategically important country. | |||
}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name=Reuters2022-04-01> | |||
{{cite news | |||
| url = https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/solomon-islands-says-wont-allow-chinese-military-base-knows-ramification-2022-04-01/ | |||
| title = Solomon Islands won't allow Chinese military base, says PM's office | |||
| author = Kirsty Needham | |||
| work = [[Reuters]] | |||
| date = 2022-04-01 | |||
| location = [[Sydney]] | |||
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20220406132804mp_/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/solomon-islands-says-wont-allow-chinese-military-base-knows-ramification-2022-04-01/ | |||
| archivedate = 2022-04-06 | |||
| accessdate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| url-status = live | |||
| quote = The leader of the Federated States of Micronesia on Thursday urged the Solomon Islands not to sign the security pact, saying he had "grave security concerns" and feared the Pacific could become embroiled in war between China and the United States. | |||
}} | |||
[https://web.archive.org/web/20220406132804mp_/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/solomon-islands-says-wont-allow-chinese-military-base-knows-ramification-2022-04-01/ mirror] | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name=Reuters2022-02-12> | |||
{{cite news | |||
| url = https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-planning-open-embassy-solomon-islands-official-2022-02-12/ | |||
| title = U.S. plans Solomon Islands embassy in push to counter China | |||
| work = [[Reuters]] | |||
| date = 2022-02-12 | |||
| location = [[Nadi, Fiji]] | |||
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20220406225305mp_/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-planning-open-embassy-solomon-islands-official-2022-02-12/ | |||
| archivedate = 2022-04-06 | |||
| accessdate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| url-status = live | |||
| quote = | |||
}} | |||
[https://web.archive.org/web/20220406225305mp_/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-planning-open-embassy-solomon-islands-official-2022-02-12/ mirror] | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name=Reuters2022-03-25> | |||
{{cite news | |||
| url = https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-defence-minister-says-china-base-solomons-would-be-concerning-2022-03-25/ | |||
| title = Solomons confirms security talks with China; Australia and NZ concerned | |||
| author = Kirsty Needham, Lucy Craymer | |||
| work = [[Reuters]] | |||
| date = 2022-03-25 | |||
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]] | |||
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414091314mp_/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-defence-minister-says-china-base-solomons-would-be-concerning-2022-03-25/ | |||
| archivedate = 2022-04-14 | |||
| accessdate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| url-status = live | |||
| quote = | |||
}} | |||
[https://web.archive.org/web/20220414091314mp_/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-defence-minister-says-china-base-solomons-would-be-concerning-2022-03-25/ mirror] | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name=Reuters2022-04-18> | |||
{{cite news | |||
| url = https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/senior-us-officials-visit-solomon-islands-amid-china-security-concerns-2022-04-18/ | |||
| title = Senior U.S. officials to visit the Solomon Islands amid China security concerns | |||
| work = [[Reuters]] | |||
| date = 2022-04-18 | |||
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]] | |||
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20220418163616/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/senior-us-officials-visit-solomon-islands-amid-china-security-concerns-2022-04-18/ | |||
| archivedate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| accessdate = 2022-04-18 | |||
| url-status = live | |||
| quote = The Solomon Islands said in March that it was creating a partnership with China to tackle security threats and ensure a safe environment for investment in what would be a major inroad for Beijing in a region that U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand have for decades seen as their {{'}}backyard.{{'}} | |||
}} | |||
[https://web.archive.org/web/20220418163616/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/senior-us-officials-visit-solomon-islands-amid-china-security-concerns-2022-04-18/ mirror] | |||
</ref> | |||
}} | |||
Revision as of 15:12, 18 April 2022
The Solomon Islands are an independent republic, made up of a archipelago of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. They are a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Geography
The total land area is 27,540 sq km; there are 910 sq km of water inside the territorial limits. They are in a key location on sea routes through the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea.
Organized into a 9 provinces and a central district: Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western Key; the islands and island groups include:
- Guadalcanal, on which the capital of Honaria is located
- Choiseul Island
- Gizo Island
- Yandina Island
- Santa Cruz Islands
- San Cristobal
- Malaita Island
- Rennell Island
The much-fought-over waters of North Georgia Sound called the "Slot" is north of Guadalcanal, containing Savo Island.
History
In the 1890s, Britain established a protectorate over the islands.
Second World War
Some of the most intense combat of World War II on the islands and waters of this area, beginning with the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Gudalcanal campaign.
Independence
Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society.
Australian Assistance
In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza asked for Australian assistance to reestablish law and order. In July, the Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias, and has remained effective.[1]
Security pact with China
In late March, 2022, China and the Solomon Islands signed the preliminary draft of an agreement described as a "security pact".[2][3] According to Reuters the agreement would be a "major inroad" by China into a region where smaller nations traditionally looked to Australia and the United States.[4]
|
The Solomon Islands said in March that it was creating a partnership with China to tackle security threats and ensure a safe environment for investment in what would be a major inroad for Beijing in a region that U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand have for decades seen as their "backyard."[4] |
In February 2022 the United States of America announced it would be reopening its embassy.[5] The reopening of the embassy, closed in 1993, was widely described as a reaction to China's attempt to exert further influence on the Solomon Islands.[6]
Economy
The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. [1]
RAMSI was able to rebuild the economy, damaged by violence.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Central Intelligence Agency, Solomons Islands, The World Factbook
- ↑ Kirsty Needham, Lucy Craymer. Solomons confirms security talks with China; Australia and NZ concerned, Reuters, 2022-03-25. Retrieved on 2022-04-18. mirror
- ↑ Kirsty Needham. Solomon Islands won't allow Chinese military base, says PM's office, Reuters, 2022-04-01. Retrieved on 2022-04-18. “The leader of the Federated States of Micronesia on Thursday urged the Solomon Islands not to sign the security pact, saying he had "grave security concerns" and feared the Pacific could become embroiled in war between China and the United States.” mirror
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Senior U.S. officials to visit the Solomon Islands amid China security concerns, Reuters, 2022-04-18. Retrieved on 2022-04-18. “The Solomon Islands said in March that it was creating a partnership with China to tackle security threats and ensure a safe environment for investment in what would be a major inroad for Beijing in a region that U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand have for decades seen as their 'backyard.'” mirror
- ↑ Rod Mcguirk. Western pressure mounts on Solomon Islands to quash pact with China, CP24, 2022-04-13. Retrieved on 2022-04-18. “The announcement of reopening the embassy, which has been closed since 1993, came in February before the security pact came to light, but amid already growing concerns about Chinese influence in the strategically important country.”
- ↑ U.S. plans Solomon Islands embassy in push to counter China, Reuters, 2022-02-12. Retrieved on 2022-04-18. mirror