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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Australian troops arrive in Solomon Islands

    Australia has dispatched military and police forces to help restore order in Solomon Islands amid ongoing riots.


    A plane carrying the Australian deployment arrived late Thursday in the capital Honiara. Local media report the troops and police took to the streets the following day.


    The riots stem from protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare that erupted in the capital on Wednesday. Many of the demonstrators come from the most populous island of Malaita, where residents have long complained of government neglect.


    One of their grievances is the government's decision to sever ties with Taiwan in favor of China in 2019. Some rioters have targeted Chinese-owned businesses in Honiara.


    Prime Minister Sogavare blamed foreign agitators for the riots on Friday. He told Australian public broadcaster ABC that "these very countries that are now influencing Malaita are the countries that don't want ties with the People's Republic of China." He did not specify which countries he was referring to.


    Australian troops arrive in Solomon Islands | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

  2. #2
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    Not good, I can remember New Guinea and East Timor.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Can't blame them for not wanting the chinkies in there. Sounds like the PM got a "cake tin" and the islanders are smart enough to know this is usually followed by wanton plundering of everything the chinkies fix their beady little eyes on.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Riots rock Solomon Islands capital for third day despite peacekeepers

    Police fired warning shots and tear gas to disperse rioters attacking the home of the Solomon Islands prime minister on Friday, in a third day of political violence that prompted the snap deployment of international peacekeepers.

    As Australian police and soldiers deployed to secure the port, airport and other critical infrastructure, mobs once again torched buildings and looted the smouldering rubble of shops in the usually sleepy Solomons Island seaside capital of Honiara.

    Thousands of people -- some brandishing axes and knives -- rampaged through the city's Chinatown, Point Cruz and business districts, according to AFP correspondents on the scene.

    "We are living in fear," resident Josephine Teakeni told AFP.

    "At the moment it is very hard... children will be missing out from schools, lots of mothers will be jobless."

    The explosion of violence is partly a result of frustrations at Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's government and chronic unemployment made worse by the pandemic.

    Also driving the unrest is long-running animosity between residents of the country's most populous island Malaita and the central government based on Guadalcanal.

    Crowds voiced their anger on Friday by setting fire to at least one building near Sogavare's home, before police fired warning shots to drive the mob back toward the centre of Honiara, AFP reporters witnessed.

    In Chinatown, a large warehouse was set alight, causing an explosion that sent scores of people fleeing from the scene in panic.

    A tobacco warehouse was also set alight as smoke from previous days fires cast parts of the devastated city of 80,000 people in an acrid haze.

    The overrun Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said Friday they had made just two arrests, despite two police stations being among the many buildings burned.


    'Urgent help'

    The roughly 100 Australian peacekeepers arrived overnight, just hours after Sogavare begged neighbours for urgent help.

    In a letter obtained by AFP, Sogavare told his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape that "certain elements" had "attempted to overthrow a democratically elected government" and called for a peacekeepers to be sent for a "period of three to four weeks."

    Papua New Guinea agreed to send 34 peacekeepers to help staunch the violence.

    In an address to the nation Thursday Sogavare told citizens the Solomons had been "brought to its knees" by the rioting, but vowed to resist calls for his resignation.

    The pro-Beijing leader claimed foreign powers opposed to his 2019 decision to switch the Solomons' diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China were behind the disturbances.

    "Unfortunately it is influenced and encouraged by other powers... I don't want to name names, we'll leave it there, we know who they are," he told Australia's public broadcaster, without naming the powers or providing evidence.


    'Mobs moving around'

    The unrest began Wednesday when thousands of protesters besieged parliament, setting fire to an outbuilding and seeking to oust Sogavare.

    It then descended into a violent free-for-all, as mobs of stick-wielding youths ignored a curfew and rampaged through the capital, stripping stores of goods and clashing with police.

    By late Thursday thousands of looters openly defied police lockdown orders, running through the streets carrying boxes, crates and bulging sacks of goods as flames crackled around them and plumes of thick black smoke billowed high above the city.

    In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian expressed "grave concern" and called on the Solomon Islands government protect Chinese citizens.


    Slow burn

    The archipelago nation of around 700,000 people has for decades endured ethnic and political tensions.

    In the late 1990s Guadalcanal militants launched attacks on settlers, particularly targeting those from Malaita, and for five years unrest plagued the country.

    The so-called "Tensions" only eased with the deployment of an Australian-led peacekeeping missions that ran from 2003 to 2017.

    The Australian government said its latest deployment was only expected to last "a matter of weeks".

    Malaita residents have long complained that their island is neglected by the central government, and divisions intensified when Sogavare recognised Beijing.

    Malaita authorities opposed the move and maintained contact with the Taiwan authorities. The province continues to receive outsized aid from Taipei and Washington.

    The province's premier, Daniel Suidani, has accused Sogavare of being in Beijing's pocket, alleging he had "elevated the interest of foreigners above those of Solomon Islanders".

    "People are not blind to this and do not want to be cheated anymore," he said.

    Experts say geopolitical rivalry did not trigger the crisis directly, but it contributed.

    "The actions of these great powers -- while they curry favour with individual political actors -- have a destabilising effect on what is already a fragile and vulnerable country," Mihai Sora, an expert on the Pacific at Australia's Lowy Institute, told AFP.

    "Then of course the contemporary context is one of extended economic hardship due to Covid restrictions, a Covid state of emergency."


    (AFP)

    Riots rock Solomon Islands capital for third day despite peacekeepers

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    "Unfortunately it is influenced and encouraged by other powers... I don't want to name names, we'll leave it there, we know who they are," he told Australia's public broadcaster, without naming the powers or providing evidence.
    Anybody have any idea who these 'outside powers' are?

    I can't see the 'typical public' becoming that excited about the 'powers that be' deciding to recognize China and withdrawing recognition from Taiwan.

    A real head scratcher.

    And so 'the world according to Harry' has the PRC being "chinkies" while the ROC are non 'chinkies'
    A true diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a manner that you will be asking for directions.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    ^ This opinion piece from The Sidney Morning Herald make it all a bit clearer.


    Behind the scenes in the Solomons, local leader has leveraged China issue to his advantage

    Behind the scenes in the Solomons, local leader has leveraged China issue to his advantage

  7. #7
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    It's the Solomons- an earthly paradise, but a human mess. Not unlike nearby PNG. This is the third set of riots that I can recall in recent history- and Chinese businesses have been targeted every time. In contrast to 'arrys predictable one trick pony narrative, the Chinese business community there is actually split between PRC, ROC, Malaysian and other Chinese diaspora people- it is no political entity, rather united by ethnicity and the desire to make a buck, and I suppose mutual protection when the shit hits the fan again. They just get on with biz, because the locals really cannot operate a sustainable business with their tribal customs, clan obligations, and inter-tribal rivalries. The rivalry/ hatred between Malaita and Guadalcanal is particularly strong, and was behind the last set of riots too- in this case, because Malaitans took over the national 'government' (legitimately)- the national capital being Honiara in Guadalcanal, and the Guale people resented that. So, ripe for political exploitation. Now the Guale hold political power, and the Malaitans are pissed off. China/ Taiwan is the pretext, but if it wasn't they would find some other pretext to fight. It's a mess.

    As always, Chinese owned businesses were targeted- the small Chinatown looted and burned. As always, Australian forces step in to try and impose some order at their governments request. Rinse and repeat. We are, reluctantly, the regional cop. There are some 70 different languages in the Solomons, and it's population is less than 700,000 people. The informal lingua franca is pidgin- but you can't even get by with that in outlying islands.
    Last edited by sabang; 27-11-2021 at 10:19 PM.

  8. #8
    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    The Sidney Morning Herald
    We all have off days.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    It's the Solomons- an earthly paradise, but a human mess. Not unlike nearby PNG. This is the third set of riots that I can recall in recent history- and Chinese businesses have been targeted every time. In contrast to 'arrys predictable one trick pony narrative, the Chinese business community there is actually split between PRC, ROC, Malaysian and other Chinese diaspora people- it is no political entity, rather united by ethnicity and the desire to make a buck, and I suppose mutual protection when the shit hits the fan again. They just get on with biz, because the locals really cannot operate a sustainable business with their tribal customs, clan obligations, and inter-tribal rivalries. The rivalry/ hatred between Malaita and Guadalcanal is particularly strong, and was behind the last set of riots too- in this case, because Malaitans took over the national 'government' (legitimately)- the national capital being Honiara in Guadalcanal, and the Guale people resented that. So, ripe for political exploitation. Now the Guale hold political power, and the Malaitans are pissed off. China/ Taiwan is the pretext, but if it wasn't they would find some other pretext to fight. It's a mess.

    As always, Chinese owned businesses were targeted- the small Chinatown looted and burned. As always, Australian forces step in to try and impose some order at their governments request. Rinse and repeat. We are, reluctantly, the regional cop. There are some 70 different languages in the Solomons, and it's population is less than 700,000 people. The informal lingua franca is pidgin- but you can't even get by with that in outlying islands.

    But we all know what will happen if the chinkies get their foot in the door.

  10. #10
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    That already happened 'arry- the Solomons switched recognition in 2019. Since then, US foreign aid to Malaita Province only(!) has gone up by 5000%!! But not to the rest of the country, that hasn't changed at all. Purely coincidental, they assured us. Bullshit, obviously.

    They are being played. The once Happy Isles are part of the Great Game now. They are pawns in a cynical game, that doesn't give fuck about the people there. Fuzzy wuzzies.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...a map of this benighted backwater might help:

    Australian troops arrive in Solomon Islands-provinces-solomon-islands-map-jpg

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    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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  13. #13
    I'm in Jail

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    The Chinese are ploughing loads of dosh into the islands, leasing island, building stadiums for the pacific games, following in the Japanese foot steps, rich pickings to be had.

  14. #14
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    Chinese families now homeless

    MANY Chinese individuals and families have lost everything and are also homeless following the widespread looting and burning of shops and properties last week.

    This was the statement of Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA) this evening (Sunday 28th November 2021) as it condemns the unlawful events which had endangered many innocent lives since Wednesday last week.

    “SICA condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the senseless widespread looting and burning of shops and properties that have endangered the lives of many innocent individuals and families, including the indigenous Solomon Islanders.

    “Many Chinese individuals and families have lost literally everything and are also homeless,” SICA said.

    The association said indigenous Solomon Islanders will also be heavily affected through loss of employment, and lack of timely supplies for their businesses and canteens.

    “The majority of Solomon Islanders are friendly, caring, easy-going and peaceful people.

    “The criminals who loot and burn are but a very small minority of the country’s population,” the statement said.

    The association on behalf of the Chinese community then thanked the many peace-loving Solomon Islanders who have offered their support and sympathy during this difficult time.

    “The bravery of the RSIPF, PRT, securities, Chinese individuals and friends of the Chinese community are recognized and acknowledged.

    “These organisations and individuals risked their lives to protect other community members and properties from criminals, and SICA will forever be grateful for their help,” the statement said.

    SICA also thanked the Government for their continuous support in helping to rebuild businesses and support the Solomon Islands’ economy and also the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

    “The support from the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea in assisting the RSIPF to stabilise the situation and provide security is deeply appreciated,” SICA said.

    The association encouraged all Chinese owned and operated businesses to continue operating in an ethical and fair manner; respecting and abiding by the laws of the country.

    SICA said SICA and the Chinese community are confident that no matter how difficult or long it will take, they are looking forward to a brighter Solomon Islands.

    Meanwhile, Chung Wah School which is located inside China Town has announced that the school will close on Monday 29th November 2021 until further notice.

    Chinese families now homeless - Solomon Star News

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    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    MANY Chinese individuals and families have lost everything and are also homeless
    Is there a Go Fund 我 page for us to donate money to?


    Dig deep Hazza, tiz for a good cause.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...I hope the turmoil won't make the Chinese community feel unappreciated...

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    I doubt that- they are part of the community, some have been there several generations. They are also major employers in Honiara. Locals banded together and did a major clean-up in Honiara Chinatown, for example, over the last couple of days. The rioters were mainly whipped up by unscrupulous politicians opposed to the current government, and shipped in from neighbouring Malaita- although no doubt some local Raskals (scumbags) opportunistically joined in too.

    Frankly if the Chinese business community were to mysteriously disappear from Honiara overnight, the place would descend into anarchy, chaos and starvation.

  18. #18
    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
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    ^ a bit like Fijian-Indians.

    When compared, the real locals aren't exactly renowned for their business smarts.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Edmond View Post
    ^ a bit like Fijian-Indians.

    When compared, the real locals aren't exactly renowned for their business smarts.
    True.

    A little off topic here but this is a phenomenon found on a much broader scale in southern Thailand.

    When I first arrived I was struck by the fact that the 'business class' , the class with money, had very Chinese physical characteristics. The Malay like people seem to be doing all the grunt jobs.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    they are part of the community, some have been there several generations
    .
    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Meanwhile, Chung Wah School which is located inside China Town has announced
    Sounds very integrated. Major employers huh? Employing other Chinese probably. Though, I bet they offer street and toilet cleaning jobs to the islanders, huh?

  21. #21
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    Do you really think the Chinese would educate their kids at a Melanesian school? Would you, for that matter?

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Do you really think the Chinese would educate their kids at a Melanesian school? Would you, for that matter?
    Fortunately, that’s not the only option. But if you are talking about being part of the community, then yes.

  23. #23
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    Most of the students at Chung Wah are not ethnically Chinese actually. Most of the staff too. Similarly, most of the students at Honiara's International school are not western. Needless to say, they both offer a higher standard of education compared to local schools. Tell me, how is it different in Asia?

  24. #24
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Tell me, how is it different in Asia?
    My boys went to local high schools in Asia that were as good or better than private schools.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Most of the students at Chung Wah are not ethnically Chinese actually. Most of the staff too. Similarly, most of the students at Honiara's International school are not western. Needless to say, they both offer a higher standard of education compared to local schools. Tell me, how is it different in Asia?

    Keep shifting those goal posts, Sabang. How is having a Chinese school in a China town enclave evidence of generational integration into local community?

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