In a sign of strong ongoing ties between Beijing and the Solomon Islands governments, officials from both countries have signed off on the construction of a new medical centre at the National Referral Hospital in the capital Honiara.
The hospital is the largest in the Pacific nation, with 300 beds and 50 doctors, while the new centre will focus on diagnosing heart problems before expanding into specialised renal services and other noncommunicable diseases.
McNeil signed the minutes of an on-site feasibility study with the deputy head of the Chinese Embassy to the Solomon Islands, Yao Ming.
Meanwhile, Japanese delegates on May 3 also signed off on initial studies for the construction of Kilu’ufi Hospital in the neighbouring province of Malaita.
The actions of Tokyo and Beijing reflect an ongoing battle for influence in the Pacific between democratic nations and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Concerns have been heightened significantly in recent weeks following the signing of a security pact between the CCP and Solomon Islands national government that could open the door to the militarisation of the South Pacific region similar to the South China Sea.
The Solomon Islands was the site of extensive fighting during World War II—resulting in more than 7,000 casualties to the Allied forces—because of its critical position and influence over vital sea lanes.
Despite appeals from Australian, Japanese, and U.S. authorities, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has stood by the deal.
Sogavare is deeply unpopular in the country—which has a history of civil strife—and there are concerns he could attempt to prevent the 2023 national election from going ahead by engineering a false-flag event.
Retired U.S. Marine Col. Grant Newsham, meanwhile, has called on democratic allies to shine a spotlight on allegations of bribery perpetrated by the CCP.