Page 10 - IB December 2023

Cover Cover

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare meets the Vice Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency, Tang Wenghong. Photo: Supplied

PRAGMATIST, PUPPETMASTER OR

PUPPET?

By Priestley Habru and Samantha Magick The balancing of partnerships with ‘key nations’ is amongst
the reasons Sogavare is our person of the year.
“Tonight we take the first step in telling our story to the
whole world.” Defining moments
That was Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh A seasoned politician, Sogavare was first elected into
Sogavare’s declaration when opening the region’s premier parliament in 1997 and is now serving his fourth stint as Prime
sporting competition, the Pacific Games, in Honiara just Minister.
weeks ago. The defining moment of his current term was his
Standing on the podium at the colourful opening ceremony, government’s decision to switch diplomatic relations from
the Islands Business 2023 Pacific Person of the Year knew Taiwan to China in September 2019. He signed up to China’s
there was a lot at stake. His reputation rested on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) soon afterwards.
successful hosting of the Games, given the very visible In making this switch, Solomon Islands joined 13 other
Chinese government support of the event, and deferment of Pacific nations: Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands,
the national election to accommodate the competition. Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau,
“The Pacific Games represents the true spirit of the Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, in
Pacific,” he told a packed stadium at the opening. “It establishing times with China.
showcases the very best in sport but it also plays a vital role The change was hardly a snap decision. Previous leaders,
in building economic, social, spiritual and cultural bridges. including Solomon Mamaloni, Gordon Lilo, Rick Hou and
“I would like to thank our partnership with key nations with Sogavare himself (in 2000) had already flirted with this idea.
significant contributions and sponsors that made this Games But it is what has come since the switch that has promoted
possible.” other nations to action.

10 Islands Business, December 2023