Australia Pledges Extra $103 Million in Aid to the Solomons Despite Its Pro-Beijing Ties

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) greets Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (R) during a bilateral meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Suva, Fiji on July 13, 2022. Armao/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Australia’s diplomatic representative to the Solomon Islands has announced an extra US$103 million (AU$161 million) in aid to the Pacific country as part of an ongoing diplomatic offensive against Beijing’s influence with the Sogavare government.

Australian High Commissioner Lachlan Strahan said the package would include support for health, education, governance, and elections, among several other initiatives, reported RNZ on Oct. 31.