Solomon Islands PM snubs meeting with US president, praises China's 'global security initiative' in UN speech
youtu.be/PvyFxD4PAeY
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has declined a White House invitation to meet with US President Joe Biden at next week's Pacific leaders' summit.
Key points:
The second US-Pacific Leaders' Summit will be held at the White House next week
The Solomon Islands prime minister has declined the invitation due to "domestic issues"
Solomon Islands has opened its arms to Chinese investment in the country, concerning US and Australian authorities
In a move that will further stoke Australian and US concerns over Mr Sogavare's perceived lean towards China, Mr Sogavare will return to Solomon Islands capital Honiara next week after delivering his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last night.
United States authorities are reportedly disappointed by Mr Sogavare's decision to decline the invitation.
He is the only Pacific leader to decline, apart from Vanuatu's new Prime Minster Sato Kilman, who has remained in Port Vila to navigate a brewing political crisis after taking power two weeks ago.
A Solomon Islands government official told the ABC Mr Sogavare would not attend because of "domestic issues", saying Mr Sogavare needs to be back in the Honiara parliament for a raft of bills, and the invitation from the White House came after parliament business had been set.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele will attend in Mr Sogavare's place.
The White House summit, in its second year, was initiated by the Biden administration to reboot relations in the Pacific region as China continues its own aggressive push.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-23/solomon-islands-sogavare-snubs-biden-invitation-china/102893366