The Solomon Islands voted in a parliamentary election on Wednesday, the first since Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022 and drew the Pacific Islands nation closer to Beijing.
A leading contender to become the Solomon Islands' next prime minister has vowed to rip up a security pact with China, as the Pacific nation began counting votes Thursday in a pivotal general election.
Vote counting was under way Thursday in the South Pacific's Solomon Islands, a contest keenly watched from afar as China's efforts to stamp its mark on the region are tested.
Beijing's bid to build influence across the Solomon Islands hit a major snag Friday, with the pro-China premier of the Pacific nation's most populous province set to lose his seat in country-wide elections.
China’s push for influence over the Pacific hangs in the balance after a chaotic election in the Solomon Islands, where counting has been delayed after ballot boxes were lost at sea and incorrect forms were handed to some voters.
A leading contender to become the Solomon Islands' next prime minister has vowed to "abolish" a security pact with China, as the Pacific nation begins counting votes Thursday in a pivotal general election.