![Uncredited In this image from a video, Solomon Islands Governor General David Vunagi announces election results outside the parliament in Honiara, Solomon Islands Thursday, May 2, 2024. Solomon Islands lawmakers on Thursday chose former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister of the South Pacific island nation that has grown closer to China in recent years. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/7c011271b0334347822499d6a4c15198/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
In this image from a video, Solomon Islands Governor General David Vunagi announces election results outside the parliament in Honiara, Solomon Islands Thursday, May 2, 2024. Solomon Islands lawmakers on Thursday chose former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister of the South Pacific island nation that has grown closer to China in recent years. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)
![Uncredited Outgoing Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, right, and candidate for prime minister Jeremiah Manele shake hands during a news conference, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Sogavare on Monday withdrew from the contest to remain head of the strategically important South Pacific island nation’s government following general elections two weeks ago that are central to the U.S.-China rivalry in the region. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/88b3703873da447ba7d32c0de293eb17/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Outgoing Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, right, and candidate for prime minister Jeremiah Manele shake hands during a news conference, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Sogavare on Monday withdrew from the contest to remain head of the strategically important South Pacific island nation’s government following general elections two weeks ago that are central to the U.S.-China rivalry in the region. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)
![Uncredited In this image from a video, Solomon Islands Prime Minister-elect Jeremiah Manele speaks during a press conference in Honiara, Solomon Islands Thursday, May 2, 2024. Solomon Islands lawmakers on Thursday chose former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister of the South Pacific island nation that has grown closer to China in recent years. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/4451a289dbaf4b44b9c2c2dff8075f75/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
In this image from a video, Solomon Islands Prime Minister-elect Jeremiah Manele speaks during a press conference in Honiara, Solomon Islands Thursday, May 2, 2024. Solomon Islands lawmakers on Thursday chose former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister of the South Pacific island nation that has grown closer to China in recent years. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)
![Uncredited Candidate for prime minister Jeremiah Manele speaks during a news conference, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday withdrew from the contest to remain head of the strategically important South Pacific island nation’s government following general elections two weeks ago that are central to the U.S.-China rivalry in the region. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/ee5137384bca48d3b2ca43af0a250859/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Candidate for prime minister Jeremiah Manele speaks during a news conference, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday withdrew from the contest to remain head of the strategically important South Pacific island nation’s government following general elections two weeks ago that are central to the U.S.-China rivalry in the region. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)
![Uncredited In this image from a video, Solomon Islands Prime Minister-elect Jeremiah Manele speaks during a press conference in Honiara, Solomon Islands Thursday, May 2, 2024. Solomon Islands lawmakers on Thursday chose former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister of the South Pacific island nation that has grown closer to China in recent years. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/976222521fc74945a65498b9191a1c58/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
In this image from a video, Solomon Islands Prime Minister-elect Jeremiah Manele speaks during a press conference in Honiara, Solomon Islands Thursday, May 2, 2024. Solomon Islands lawmakers on Thursday chose former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister of the South Pacific island nation that has grown closer to China in recent years. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)