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A dominant theme in today’s world of geopolitics is the willingness of a growing number of countries to break ranks with the United States. From Africa to the Middle East to Latin America, more and more nations have chosen a more independent approach, often contradicting or at the very least disassociating themselves from Washington’s preferred policies. Much of the focus here has been on the reluctance of “the global south” to join the US-led sanctions campaign against Russia over the war in Ukraine. However recent developments also indicate that American efforts to blunt Chinese influence in the Asia-Pacific region have thus far not borne fruit, at least not to the extent decision-makers in Washington may have hoped for.

Perhaps the most illuminating example is the case of the Solomon Islands, a small island nation situated in the Pacific Islands region. The country’s Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recently concluded a 6-day visit to China, during which he met President Xi Jinping and presided over the opening of his country’s first embassy in Beijing.

The main highlight of the visit, however, was an agreement between the two sides to enhance police and security cooperation, thereby cementing Beijing’s role as a security partner for the island nation. This security partnership sparked the concerns of the ‘Anglo-bloc’, with the United States, Australia, and New Zealand calling for the public release of the details of the agreement.

The importance of such developments lies not only in China’s role as a security partner for a Pacific Island nation but in that they took place despite American attempts to strengthen its role in a region considered a primary battlefield for influence with China. A brief look at the recent history in the region puts things better into perspective:

The Solomon Islands cut off its ties with Taiwan in 2019, switching to the one-China policy and therefore laying the groundwork for forging closer ties with Beijing. This was followed by a security pact between the Solomons and China in 2022, which reportedly allows for sending Chinese security personnel to the island nation to help protect Chinese interests (contingent on the approval of the Solomons government). According to reports, the agreement also allows for Chinese ships to dock in the Solomons for logistical purposes.

The agreement sent shockwaves through Washington, prompting a visit by senior White House officials to the Solomon capital Honiara. American officials also warned of potential future Chinese military bases in the island nation that would elicit a military response. 

Against this backdrop, the United States has expanded its engagement with the Solomons, opening its first embassy in Honiara in three decades.

This step came as the White House has sought to enhance its role in the wider region. Last September US President Joe Biden hosted the first ever “US-Pacific Islands Country Summit” with regional leaders. During the meeting, Biden announced an aid package of over 800 million dollars for Pacific island nations.

Such developments have failed however in preventing the Solomons from proceeding to enhance its ties with China including in the security domain, as evidenced by the policing and security agreement inked during Sogavare’s trip to China.

It also bares mentioning that the Solomons has stuck to its China option despite Washington’s allies’ attempts to solidify ties with Pacific Island nations, including in the security realm. The Australian Labor government for example has shown a greater interest in shoring up these ties as it attempts to contain Chinese influence; however, such efforts have not pushed Honiara away from Beijing. This is all the more significant given Australia’s history as the Solomons' main security partner.

The willingness to break ranks with the United States and pursue healthy ties with China is not limited however to Pacific Island nations. With China open for business once again after the lifting of Covid restrictions, even Asia-Pacific countries that are members of the US-led Anglo bloc are disassociating themselves from Washington’s hawkish China policy.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins recently wrapped up a 5-day visit to China, with talks focusing on the further enhancement of economic ties.

It was Hipkins' statement just prior to his visit however which cast light on New Zealand’s disassociation with the US approach. Commenting on whether he shares Biden's characterization of his Chinese counterpart as being a dictator, Hipkins bluntly stated that he didn’t, underscoring that the Chinese form of government was an internal Chinese affair.

Despite New Zealand’s reputation as being the softer voice on China within the five eyes alliance—an intelligence alliance comprised of the US, Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand – such statements stand out in that they reflect an apparent failure on Washington’s part. This failure is manifested in the fact that even allied nations are not being sucked into a more hard-line approach towards Beijing as the US seeks to contain the latter.  

Concerns have also been voiced in Australia – Washington’s closest regional ally – over the dangers of further deepening military ties with the US as it seeks to expand its regional military footprint to counter China’s rise.

Former Australian intelligence analysts have warned that Australia’s defense policy allows for the United States to use the country as a launching pad for potential military operations against China, underscoring that such a scenario does not serve the Australian national interest.

Similar sentiments have been voiced by senior political figures. Australian former Prime Minister Paul Keating has stated that his country has created problems out of its own making with China as a result of deepening its military ties with the United States. Keating even went as far as to characterize the AUKUS agreement—a deal between the US, Britain, and Australia that gives the latter access to nuclear submarine technology- as being “the worst deal in history”. Canberra’s former foreign minister Bob Carr meanwhile warned that his country was placing too much hope in the United States. Following Biden’s cancellation of a visit to Sydney for a summit of the leaders of the Quad – an alliance between the US, Australia, India, and Japan – Carr described Canberra’s stance as gullible in its belief of America’s commitment to the region.