中. Water cannon training for Solomon Islands police... South Pacific security cooperation continues

One week of vehicle operation and equipment inspection training for local police officers

(Beijing = Yonhap News) Correspondent Jong-gu Han = China is continuing cooperation in the field of public safety and security by conducting training on the use of water cannon vehicles for suppressing protests for police in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

According to the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands on the 4th, a police advisory group belonging to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security recently conducted a week-long water cannon vehicle operation training for six police officers from the Solomon Islands Police's rapid response department.

Participants learned how to operate water cannon vehicles in various situations and tips for routine equipment inspection and maintenance.

The Chinese Embassy explained that this training is aimed at training experts in operating water cannon vehicles and improving response capabilities to emergency situations.

However, the specific training time and location were not disclosed.

After establishing diplomatic relations in 2019, China and the Solomon Islands strengthened cooperation in the police and security sectors by signing a security agreement in 2022.

The security agreement between the two countries reportedly includes provisions allowing China to dispatch police and other forces at the Solomon Islands' request, raising concerns in the United States and Australia.

The United States and Australia have been wary of the possibility that China will use this agreement as a stepping stone to expand its military influence in the South Pacific region.

However, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Weil, who took office last May, announced his intention to review the security agreement signed with China.

Prime Minister Weill visited Australia in June and agreed with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to begin negotiations to conclude a new agreement covering the security and economic sectors.

Last July, there were strong protests against China's test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) that landed in the South Pacific.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post noted that this training was announced after the Solomon Islands' new government announced its intention to review the existing agreement with China, and reported that security cooperation between the two countries continues despite Western vigilance.