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photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to the Solomon Islands today to meet with newly elected Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. the second time.
The Solomon Islands has been a key point in Pacific geopolitics since it stopped allying with Taiwan in 2019 and instead aligned itself with China.
This is Peters’ second trip abroad and one of many high-level delegations Menelle has received since taking office in May.
Former Foreign Minister Manele Received by Australian Foreign Minister Penny WongWashington’s ambassador to Papua New Guinea, China’s special envoy for the Pacific, and Japan’s ambassador to the Pacific.
Manele also visited Australia and met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Winston Peters and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele exchange gifts during a New Zealand delegation’s visit to Honiara.
photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Provided
“The impact of geopolitical competition”
The visitors come partly because it’s just standard practice when a new leader is elected, but also because the Solomons have been at the center of geopolitical competition since the transition, said Tarsisius Kabutaullaka, an associate professor at the University of Hawaii’s Center for Pacific Island Studies.
Kabutaulaka said that former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had made a certain degree of “anti-Western remarks” during his tenure.
“They come here and try to build a relationship with this new leader who they think is different.
“If not in terms of policy substance, then at least in terms of diplomacy. So, to some extent, what we are seeing in the Solomon Islands is the impact of geopolitical competition.”
“I think Solomon Islands and China will continue to have this relationship but the difference is the way Manele is handling this diplomatic relationship.
I don’t know what words to use, but maybe (Manele) will be more cautious in foreign relations, not only with China but also with other countries.”
After visiting the Solomon Islands, Winston Peters will travel to Nauru on Wednesday and Niue on Thursday.
Pacific ties ‘vital’
Peters said in a statement that “major regional issues” and “pressing development and strategic challenges in the region” would be on the agenda, including unrest in New Caledonia.
“New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific is fundamental to our foreign policy and we are determined to continue to strengthen it,” he said.
Peters led a large delegation that included Minister Casey Costello, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Chairman Tim van de Molen, and opposition members, Labor MPs Damien O’Connor and Jenny Salesa, and Greens MP Teanau Tuiono.
“Our Cabinet and Parliament have a deep interest in and commitment to the Pacific,” Peters said in the statement.
In Nauru, Peters held bilateral meetings with President Adeang and Foreign Minister Ange Mia.
Nauru is one of the world’s smallest independent nations, located 42 kilometres south of the equator. Since June last year, the number of asylum seekers on Nauru has dropped to zero, with nearly 100 currently being held in Australia’s offshore processing centre.
In September 2023, personnel were transferred again to Nauru.
The country also exchanged ties with Taiwan Good for China Shortly after Taiwan’s presidential election.
Its predecessor, Baron Waqa Beginning his term Last month, he was appointed the new Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Peters visits Niue at the encouragement of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Announced $20 million investment.
There, he will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the energy investment.
Peters will also hold a bilateral meeting with Governor Dalton Tagraj.
Niue is this year celebrating 50 years of free association with New Zealand.
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