Jeremiah Manele elected prime minister in Solomon Islands, which is likely to keep close China ties

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Solomon Islands lawmakers elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister Thursday in a development that suggests the South Pacific island nation will maintain close ties with China. Manele used his first speech as leader to promise to...

Solomon Islands lawmakers elect former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert misspelled his surname as Manale.)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Solomon Islands lawmakers elect former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert misspelled his surname as Manale.).

Solomon Islands pro-Beijing prime minister won't keep his job following elections

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Solomon Islands pro-Beijing 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...

Solomon Islanders cast votes in an election that will shape relations with China

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (AP) — Voting has closed across Solomon Islands on Wednesday in the South Pacific nation's first general election since the government switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy...

Solomon Islands' elections could impact China's influence in the South Pacific

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The country in which China has gained most influence in the South Pacific, Solomon Islands, goes to the polls on Wednesday in an election that could shape the region’s future. Current Prime Minister Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who switched the...

Tonga's prime minister says he's open to Chinese help with security support at an upcoming summit

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Tonga’s prime minister said on Thursday he is open to Beijing’s offer of security support when the South Pacific kingdom hosts a major regional leaders’ summit, raising concerns in the United States as it strives to counter China’s growing influence. ...