Member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congressman Neal Dunn, R-Fla., said the CCP's presence in the Solomon Islands threatens the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. Dunn and Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, R-American Samoa, another member of the committee, recently visited the Solomon Islands to meet with officials, according to the Aug. 16 news release.
"Like a viper slithering around its prey, the CCP is coiling around Solomon Islands in hopes of tightening their grip on the Indo-Pacific region," Dunn said in the release. "This is very similar to the power plays Imperial Japan made leading up to WWII. Standing at the war memorial at Guadalcanal reminded me how imperative it is that we rein in the CCP before history repeats itself. We must preserve our relationships with our friends in Solomon Islands to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains stable and peaceful."
Chair of the select committee Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., spoke about the importance of the Solomon Islands in promoting peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region, according to the release.
"As the Chinese Communist Party seeks to export its influence across the globe, Solomon Islands cannot be overlooked," Gallagher said in the release. "The same geographic logic that etched places like Guadalcanal into the American memory still holds true today. We must work with our traditional friends in Solomon Islands to protect our common values and ensure peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific."
While in the Solomon Islands, Dunn and Radewagen met with USAID personnel, leadership of the National Referral Hospital and the family and friends of Daniel Siudani, a pro-democracy advocate who had to flee the country after facing persecution from the government, the release reported. Dunn and Radewagen also visited the Coastwatchers memorial in Honiara.
“Solomon Islands were strategically important in World War II, for the generations since, and certainly still today. It was a special honor to help lay a wreath at the Guadalcanal American Memorial and think of these heroes who left us a legacy of freedom that we cannot fail to uphold,” Radewagen said in the release. “My father, the late Peter Tali Coleman, served in these waters and islands as a young U.S. Army officer in support of the Coastwatchers, who reported on enemy activity at great risk to their lives.
"Dad told us about serving aboard the USS Echo, a U.S. Navy schooner assigned to the U.S. Army, which took Coastwatchers to and from their stations," she added, according to the release. "Now, 81 years later, we must remain strongly committed to the Pacific region and keep working with Solomon Islands to preserve peace and security."
The Solomon Islands signed a security agreement with China earlier this year, following a secretive agreement signed between the two nations last year, NPR reported. The latest agreement will "enhance cooperation on law enforcement and security matters," according to joint statement by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
"The Chinese side will continue to provide support and help to Solomon Islands as needed in strengthening Solomon Islands' police law enforcement capacity," according to the statement. NPR described the agreement as a major victory for China in its efforts to increase its presence in the region.
