China Takes Over the Solomon Islands — And the Pacific

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org ^ | March 31, 2022 | by Gordon G. Chang

[RomanSoldier19]

China, after years of persistent commercial, diplomatic, and military efforts, is taking over the Pacific.

Beijing is moving from island group to island group, and soon the People's Liberation Army will be in striking distance of Hawaii.

The five-year deal, subject to automatic renewals, will allow Beijing to use the islands to base its military and to do pretty much what the Chinese military wants.

If implemented to its full extent, the Framework Agreement will give China the ability to sever shipping lanes and air links connecting the U.S. with its treaty ally Australia and partner New Zealand.

For decades, Washington allowed Canberra and Wellington to manage the Solomons and its region.... Beijing, through payoffs now detailed in public, essentially owns Sogavare's government.

There is now talk that China will ink a security agreement with Papua New Guinea, just north of Australia.

Moreover, China wants to upgrade an airstrip in Kiribati. Beijing says the improvements are for civilian purposes only, yet the military uses are apparent and no one believes the Chinese assurances.

The facility is just 1,900 miles south of Hawaii. In Pacific terms, Kiribati is America's next-door neighbor.

[RomanSoldier19]

[proxy_user]

I seem to remember some trouble in Hawaii a few years back. It did not end well for the attackers.

[DesertRhino]

“wants to upgrade an airstrip in Kiribati..”

Tarawa.

[Sirius Lee]

The uniparty enabled this every step of the way.

[Alas Babylon!]

Someone needs to remind the Solomon Islands and Kiribati that no matter how much money the Chicoms give them, it will not treat extreme nuclear radiation, center of the sun-like heat and 100% blast damage.

I mean, as long as Putin can talk about going nuclear, we can too.

[adorno]

I seem to remember some trouble in Hawaii a few years back. It did not end well for the attackers.

With the people running our government and military nowadays, it's not impossible for China to have a very easy time taking over the Pacific, including Hawaii.

After all, China could not a better friend in the White House than Biden, and a congress that doesn't seem to understand the dangers posed by China.

[Travis McGee]

Japan didn’t have ICBMs with MIRVed nuclear warheads.

[Leaning Right]

> I seem to remember some trouble in Hawaii a few years back. It did not end well for the attackers. <

Unfortunately, we are a far different country today. During WW II relatives of mine worked in a local steel mill that rolled tank and battleship armor. That steel mill is long gone now. In it’s place is a strip mall that sells mostly imported Chinese junk.

[cgbg]

Imagine how WWII would have gone if FDR announced that the most important issues facing the country were supporting Transgenders and attacking white racism while opening the US border to foreign invaders.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Beijing, through payoffs now detailed in public, essentially owns Sogavare's government.

And that is how they will take over the USA. The water in our pot feels warmer? Putin could have used his gas main to "purchase" the Ukraine.

[Erik Latranyi]

I seem to remember some trouble in Hawaii a few years back. It did not end well for the attackers.

Yeah, and we have not won a war since.

[Travis McGee]

The "great circle" (shortest) route from California to Australia. Note where the Solomons are located, just east of Papua N.G.

[Travis McGee]

We won that war when we had nukes and nobody else did.

[mvonfr]

I seem to remember some trouble in Hawaii a few years back. It did not end well for the attackers.

Only because the attackers were not capable of thinking strategically, they could have won if they did things right.

[marron]

China believes it’s natural border is Guam.

[Travis McGee]

Wait a minute, I thought concerning Ukraine and Russia, that any country on earth can join any political or military alliance that they want to join.

[Alas Babylon!]

Grenada, Panama, Kuwait. Not big, but we did win, and I was part of them.

Don’t dis my bros, at least those who paid the ultimate price!

Wars are not “declared” anymore, like Enduring Freedom or Putin’s Special Military Operation...

[Leaning Right]

You’re exactly right. When the mafia wanted something from somebody, they’d usually go with “take the gold or take the lead”. In other words, take the money we’re offering you or get shot.

The ChiComs don’t even have to go that far. All they’ve got to say to our wonderful leadership is “take the gold”.

[packagingguy]

Steel requires coal to manufacture. Americans using coal is bad, it pollutes the planet. Chinese using coal is good, it doesn’t pollute the planet. It’s “science”.

[Vermont Lt]

China will win through economics.

The US used to go into countries nd buy their loyalty. In the past several decades we use the military. And we preach about how they live their lives. A good example was the treatment of women in Arab countries.

Does anyone think for a second that China cares about that stuff as long as they can mine REM in Afghanistan?

We will lose our global economic status without firing a shot. China is within striking distance of HI already. What they will do is control the sea lanes to China. And we won’t lift a finger.