Struggles of a US Agency in the Solomon Islands Reveal China’s Influence : Analysis

The Peace Corps, a volunteer program established by John F. Kennedy, has yet to return to the Solomon Islands despite the announcement of its comeback in 2019. While volunteers have already returned to other Pacific nations like Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peace Corps has missed deadlines to secure funding from the US Congress for its work in the Solomon Islands. Speculations suggest that the government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare may be deliberately stalling this return to placate China, which has made significant inroads in the archipelago. A former US official, familiar with the negotiations, revealed that the Chinese influence played a role in delaying the agreement indefinitely. The Solomon Islands government has not officially confirmed any changes, but opposition MP Peter Kenilorea Jr. believes the delays are politically motivated. The apparent difficulties faced by the Peace Corps in the Solomon Islands highlight the challenges faced by the US in countering China’s rising influence in the Pacific. Sogavare has defended his government’s deeper relations with China, which resulted in severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan and signing security and policing agreements with Beijing. The delays in the Peace Corps’ return may help Sogavare portray the US as neglecting the Pacific, a narrative that has some truth to it. The Solomon Islands had already felt like junior partners in their relationships with the US, Australia, and New Zealand, and China’s expansion offered an alternative source of funding. Western officials fear that China’s financial assistance could be a strategic move to establish a military presence in the Pacific, potentially including a naval base. Cleo Paskal, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, points out that China benefits from the Peace Corps not returning, as it undermines US soft power in the region. US officials believe that Sogavare’s tilt towards China is driven by domestic politics, as he needs to cleave to the People’s Republic of China for his political survival and legacy. Sogavare’s approach has gained attention from both the US and China, putting him at the center of geopolitical events.

Regarding the credibility of sources, limitations exist as some statements are from anonymous insiders and unnamed officials. While Al Jazeera is a well-known news outlet, the lack of transparency in sourcing decreases the reliability of the information presented. Additionally, the article seems to suggest a potential bias against China, portraying its influence negatively and highlighting suspicions of political motivations. However, it is difficult to fully assess the accuracy of these claims without further corroborating evidence. The impact of this information may contribute to the ongoing narrative of China’s growing influence in the Pacific and the perceived challenges faced by the US in countering it. It also highlights the complex political landscape in the region and the potential repercussions of diplomatic decisions on programs such as the Peace Corps. Given the prevalence of fake news and misinformation, it is possible that the public’s perception of the information presented in this article may be influenced by their pre-existing biases and beliefs about China’s actions in the Pacific.

Source: Aljazeera news: In the Solomon Islands, a US agency’s struggles hint at China’s influence