The Latest Breaking News from Solomon Islands

Australia has donated more than $1 million in weapons and vehicles to Solomon Islands police, in a move criticised by the Solomon Islands opposition.

Australia donates rifles and police vehicles to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Forces ahead of the Pacific Games, but the country's opposition leader criticised the donation, saying Australia did it to stop China's influence.

The Lowy Institute reports Beijing is targeting its Pacific aid to new diplomatic allies Solomon Islands and Kiribati while Chinese financial support across the region continues to decline

Lowy Institute’s Pacific Aid Map charts thousands of projects and activities from 67 donor entities, including Australia and the US

The Solomon Islands will need to implement fiscal reforms such as alterations to its tax system and more efficient public spending or its debt levels may become unsustainable, the World Bank said in a report on Wednesday.

Some 900 million Australia dollars ($565m) will be allocated to the Pacific region, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Australia will set aside A$46 million ($29 million) to fund police deployments in Solomon Islands in next week's budget, part of an increase in spending in the Pacific intended to shore up its standing in the region as China seeks greater influence.

A group of 32 police officers from the South Pacific nation of Solomon Islands has flown to China to train in policing techniques and improve their understanding of Chinese culture, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said in a statement.

Thirty-four officers travel to China as part of effort to improve cooperation between the two forces

Almost three dozen Solomon Islands police officers have flown to China for training in another sign of rapidly deepening police cooperation between the two countries.

Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare is trying to maintain close ties with Australia but is ultimately reliant on Beijing, a leading security experts says.