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Shi Jiangtao

A week after a Chinese missile test sparked protests across the Pacific, Beijing has reaffirmed its unconditional support for Honiara and pledged to deepen ties.
The commitment came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Solomon Islands counterpart Rick Houenipwela in Beijing on Tuesday, just days after China test-fired a ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine on July 6.
The test, which marked China’s first strategic submarine-launched long-range ballistic missile test into international waters since a land-based intercontinental launch in 2024, was denounced by regional leaders as destabilising.


According to the Chinese statement of Tuesday’s meeting, Wang said there had been “strong development” in the two nations’ bilateral relations since diplomatic ties were established in 2019, and that the partnership had delivered “tangible benefits” to the Solomon Islands people.
He pledged to deepen exchanges at all levels and expand practical cooperation relating to green energy, climate change, health, education and other fields, with the goal of elevating their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.
“China maintains continuity and stability in its policy toward the Solomon Islands and has always supported the Solomon Islands in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and legitimate rights and interests, as well as in pursuing a development path of its own choosing,” Wang said.
“China’s cooperation with the Solomon Islands is free of political conditions, does not impose its will on others, and does not issue ‘empty promises’.”

Wang’s remarks come soon after Solomons Prime Minister Matthew Wale lodged a “strong protest” with Chinese diplomats about the missile test on behalf of Pacific nations last week.
The missile reportedly splashed down in international waters between Nauru, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, drawing condemnation from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Leaders from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Palau, Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands also voiced concern, although some smaller Pacific nations have so far avoided public comment.
Wale said China was “a good friend of Solomon Islands but this is not something a friend does”.
“We don’t ‌want to see any more countries – China, America, anybody – we don’t want anybody testing the ICBMs [intercontinental ballistic missiles] in the Pacific Islands region. That’s the bottom line. Be our friend, but don’t threaten us,” ‌Wale ‌said.
On Tuesday, Wang said Beijing’s engagement with Pacific island countries had “no geopolitical intent”, adding that island states were sovereign countries and “not anyone’s backyard”.
He framed Beijing’s Pacific engagement as being solely about South-South cooperation aimed at promoting common development, while also defending China’s expanding role across the region.
“It has no geopolitical intentions, does not seek so-called ‘spheres of influence,’ and should not be subject to interference by third parties,” Wang said.
The Solomon Islands is widely seen as having some of the closest ties with Beijing among Pacific nations, particularly after Honiara signed a secretive security pact with Beijing in 2022.

On July 7, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message congratulating the Solomon Islands on its 48th independence anniversary, saying bilateral ties had made “considerable progress” since diplomatic ties were established, and expressing readiness to deepen the partnership and build a “community with a shared future”.
China’s ties with the Solomon Islands have drawn intense scrutiny. Western capitals have condemned Beijing’s diplomatic, economic and security footprint, which has grown through aid, infrastructure projects and political exchanges.
The 2022 security pact, which includes cooperation on policing and public order, also permits Chinese naval ship visits, logistical replenishment and potential deployments to protect Chinese personnel or major projects.
This has fuelled concerns in Washington, Canberra and Wellington about possible dual-use infrastructure or a future Chinese military foothold.


Wale, who took office in May, has pledged to review the pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia.
Canberra is intensifying security cooperation across the Pacific through recent efforts to build a regional multilateral security alliance with Fiji, Vanuatu and others.
Beijing maintains official ties with 11 of the 14 Pacific island states and operates more resident diplomatic missions in the region than the US, Japan or New Zealand.
It also ranks as the second-largest aid provider after Australia via loans, infrastructure projects and development assistance.


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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks in Beijing on Tuesday with Rick Houenipwela, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Solomon Islands. Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Foreign ministers Wang Yi and Rick Houenipwela meet in Beijing. Photo: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Solomon Islands is among nations to protest to China over its ICBM test on July 6. The missile flew over several Pacific nations. Photo: Xinhua via AP

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A test missile is fired from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine towards the Pacific Ocean on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

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Prime ministers of Australia, Anthony Albanese (left), and Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, shake hands after signing a treaty in Suva on Monday. Photo: EPA

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drinks kava next to Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during a welcome ceremony in Suva on Monday. Photo: AAP/Reuters

Members of the Australian and Fijian delegation meet at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva on Monday. Photo: AFP

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The national flags of Australia (right) and Vanuatu are seen on a table during Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s visit to Parliament House in Canberra on Monday. Photo: AFP

Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark departs Zhoushan to visit countries in South Pacific, including Vanuatu, for humanitarian medical work on July 3, 2023. Photo: Getty Images

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Solomons prime minister has pledged to review China pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia


Solomons prime minister has pledged to review China pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia.


China sends a message to Pacific islands amid unease over missile test

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Solomons prime minister has pledged to review China pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia

Solomons prime minister has pledged to review China pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia