China begins training Solomon Islands police
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The Chinese police have begun training their counterparts in the Solomon Islands following the two nations' security deal.
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The drills come following a security pact inked by Beijing and Honiara in late April (AFP)
China's Police Liason Team has begun training the Solomon Islands police force, according to an announcement by Honiara on Tuesday.
The first round of exercises took place at the headquarters of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), between June 7 and 11.
Police Deputy Commissioner Ian Vaevaso said ahead of the exercises' opening ceremony that the Solomon Islands' security challenges are evolving and threatening Honiara, "and therefore RSIPF must be well prepared to tackle these threats. That is why these trainings are critical and must be delivered to reach all RSIPF officers in Honiara and the provinces."
The RSIPF was trained on basic equipment handling skills, basic survival skills, self-defense and counterattack, as well as posture and movement, according to a statement by the Solomon Islands government.
The Solomon Islands and China inked a security pact in late March, and Australia is worried that the pact, whose details have not been made public, could be a step toward a Chinese military presence less than 2,000 km away, prompting an increase in tensions amid an already inflamed region, with the US sending Taiwan weapons to strengthen its bids for independence from China.
The US, UK and Australia had formed their AUKUS alliance amid China concerns. The Western alliance was based on enhancing Australia's nuclear capabilities through advanced technology and nuclear submarines in order to increase the alliance's strength in the South Pacific, as China grows more influential in its region.
