Solomon Islands: New Chinatown police post allows China Police Liaison Team to influence local police operations and priorities
On 3 March, the Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA) handed over a 20-foot demountable police post to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Chinatown, Honiara, during Chinese New Year celebrations. The post, located on the Chung Wah School grounds, is expected to be staffed by RSIPF officers. The establishment of the post follows the closure of a previous RSIPF Chinatown outpost last year. Claims that Chinese Liaison Police Team (CPLT) officers will operate the post were denied by the RSIPF spokesman Desmond Rave even though he stated that they would “visit” the facility. Chinatown is frequently the area most affected during civil unrest in Honiara.
Assessment: The new police post aligns with Chinese global interests to monitor and coerce its diaspora. Regardless of formal site operation, “visits” and joint activities by the CPLT allow it to influence local security priorities. These practices demonstrate China’s use of host nation security infrastructure to increase its influence in the Solomon Islands, and mirror China’s practices in other countries.
Sources: Stephen Dziedzic and Nick Sas, “Solomon Islands denies China will run new police station in the heart of the capital Honiara,” ABC, February 23, 2026; George Maelagi, “Security Boost For China Town After Police Post Unveiled,” Solomon Star, March 4, 2026; “PM HON. JEREMIAH MANELE ATTENDS LANTERN FESTIVAL CELEBRATION AND CHINATOWN POLICE POST HANDOVER,” SIG, March 3, 2026; “RSIPF farewell six CPLT members,” RSIPF, February 11, 2026.
