After days of riots and arson attacks, the solomon islands capital, Honiara, was filled with smoke and rubble on the ground.
According to the solomon islands police on November 27 local time, the police found 3 deaths near the Chinatown in the capital Honiara on the same day, and it was preliminarily confirmed that the deceased was not a Chinese citizen. In addition, more than 100 suspects linked to the Honiara riots and robberies over the past few days have been arrested.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), thousands of people held an anti-government demonstration in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, on November 24, which sparked riots. During the riots, many shops, schools and even the Prime Minister's residence were set on fire by mobs. Solomon Islands now faces food, fuel and cash shortages.
The riots killed 3 people, and there are no reports of casualties among Chinese compatriots
According to Agence France-Presse on November 27, Solomon Islands police said on the same day that three charred bodies were found in a burned shop in Honiara Chinatown, the first time that a death had been reported in the local area after many days of violent demonstrations.
Riots in the Solomon Islands killed 3 people. Photo/ Screenshot of the Guardian report
According to the news of the Solomon Islands police on November 27, local time, after preliminary confirmation, the deceased is not a Chinese citizen. The Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands has asked the local police to verify the relevant situation and conduct a comprehensive investigation through the local overseas Chinese group, and so far there have been no reports of casualties of Chinese compatriots.
On November 24, more than 1,000 people demonstrated in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sogavare, and the Prime Minister's residence, parliament building and other houses were set on fire or smashed.
Despite the blockade ordered by Prime Minister Sogavare that night in the capital, the local Chinatown was attacked on November 25, and several Chinese shops were smashed and burned.
The anti-government insurgency in the Solomon Islands continues to simmer. On November 26, local time, the police and anti-government rioters continued to confront each other.
A curfew was imposed in the capital region after three days of riots. On the morning of November 27, the streets of Honiara were relatively quiet, and locals began assessing the damage caused by several days of rioting, according to the British newspaper The Guardian.
Currently, the Solomon Islands are facing food, fuel and cash shortages, with many people lining up in front of ATMs and gas stations.
According to the Solomon Times, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) said more than 100 suspects linked to the Honiara riots and robberies over the past few days have been arrested.
"I have to make it very clear here that no one is above the law." Police Commissioner Mostin Manggaard said.
The Chinese Embassy in solomon Islands reminds Chinese citizens to take precautions
Political riots broke out in the Solomon Islands, affecting local Chinese shops. The Guardian reported that in Chinatown, most of the buildings were set on fire except for a few buildings managed by local security guards. A few local Chinese shops were attacked by thugs.
In view of the severe local security situation in the Solomon Islands, the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands attaches great importance to reminding Chinese citizens to strengthen security precautions.
The Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands issued a security alert. Photo: Screenshot of the official WeChat public account of the Chinese Embassy in solomon Islands
On November 25, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference that China is highly concerned about the current developments in the Solomon Islands and supports the Solomon Islands government's efforts to stop violence and control chaos. It is believed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sogavare, the Government will be able to restore social order and stability as soon as possible. We are gravely concerned about the attacks on some Chinese citizens and Chinese-funded institutions and have asked the government to take all necessary measures to protect the safety of chinese citizens and institutions in the country.
The United States may be an external force that instigates riots
The British "Guardian" analysis believes that this violent demonstration is partly caused by long-term unemployment and dissatisfaction with the current government.
Some experts say the conflict was fueled by long-standing hostilities between Mareta and Guadalcanal.
Satellite image of the Solomon Islands. Figure/IC photo
The Associated Press reported that the Solomon Islands are located in the South Pacific, with a population of 700,000, mainly made up of Melanesians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Chinese and Europeans. Guadalcanal is the largest island in the Solomon Islands and is home to the capital, Honiara. Maleta Island is the second largest island in the Solomon Islands and the most populous province.
The Associated Press further noted that the relocation of Residents of Mareta Island to Guadalcanal for economic opportunities in the capital, Honiara, has exacerbated inter-ethnic tensions in the Solomon Islands and ultimately led to unrest.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare spoke on the riots. Photo/ Screenshot of the Solomon Times report
The Solomon Times reported that on November 26, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare made a speech accusing individual politicians of inciting riots, saying that they would not give in to the rioters and would never resign under pressure.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare also noted that the riots were instigated by forces that wanted to stop the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The New York Times quoted Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat in the Solomon Islands, as saying on November 25 that the Solomon Islands have been at the center of geopolitical competition in recent years. After Sogavare came to power in 2019, the Solomon Islands government decided to sever so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan authorities and establish diplomatic relations with China.
According to Xinhua News Agency in 2019, on September 21, China and the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Manele said that the Country recognizes that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and that it will abide by the one-China principle and always respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Xinhua News Agency reported that Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on September 23, 2019, in response to an inquiry about the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Solomon Islands, that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Solomon Islands is a correct decision made by the Government and people of the Solomon Islands. Adhering to the one-China principle is the norm governing international relations and the universal consensus of the international community. The historical trend of 179 countries that have followed the trend of the times and established formal diplomatic relations with us will continue to grow.
The New York Times pointed out that Mareta Island continues to maintain contact with the Taiwan authorities, contrary to the position of the central government of the Solomon Islands. The United States has also provided direct foreign aid to Mareta Island, deepening the rift within the country.
"External forces are trying to sabotage the diplomatic relations established in China, but I don't want to point out who the external forces are." Sogavare said, "The decision of the authorities in the same Taiwan to sever so-called 'diplomatic relations' and establish diplomatic relations with China is in line with international law and United Nations resolutions." ”
In this regard, on November 26, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference that as we all know, the one-China principle is the norm of international relations, the aspiration of the people, and the trend of the times. The diplomatic relations established in the middle of the country conform to the trend of the times and are the correct choice that can withstand the test of history. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-China relations have made great progress, and the pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in various fields has achieved fruitful results, which have won the sincere support and support of the people of the country. Facts have proved that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and China conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of the development of the country. Any attempt to undermine the normal development of relations in the middle is futile.
Beijing News reporter Zhu Yuehong
Edited by Liu Xixian Proofreader Wu Xingfa