By AFP and Focus | 2026-05-18

SYDNEY -- A former leader who supported ties with Taiwan and a China critic have won key roles in the new Solomon Islands government, signalling change for the South Pacific's closest backer of Beijing.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale May 15 was elected by lawmakers after his predecessor lost a no-confidence vote.

Changes of leader in the strategically located archipelago, 1,600km northeast of Australia, are closely watched by Western diplomats.

China and U.S. ally Australia are the largest donors and security partners to the Solomons and compete for influence. Wale appointed former prime minister Rick Hou as foreign minister, and Peter Kenilorea as the minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, dealing closely with donor countries.

Kenilorea is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a global group of lawmakers critical of Beijing.

"China might find him a bit awkward," James Batley, a former Australian high commissioner to the Solomon Islands, told AFP of Kenilorea. "He will place a priority on transparency."

Ties to China controversial

Wale, a foe of a controversial 2022 security pact with China, later opposed annulling it because doing so would create "unnecessary problems," according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. But he could press for more transparency around the pact.

Wale's cabinet appointments "send a signal" about his skepticism toward Beijing, added Batley. However, "it is most unlikely that [the] Solomons is going to reverse its decision on relations with China."

Hou was prime minister from 2017 to 2019, just before the Solomons switched ties from Taiwan to China in 2019. He criticized that move.

A former reserve bank governor, Hou "is experienced in international relations and won't be intimidated," Batley said.

Envoys from China and Australia met with Wale on May 16.

Wale told Chinese ambassador Cai Weiming the Solomons was committed to the "One China" principle and intended to work closely with China to deliver tangible benefits for the people, a Solomon Islands government statement said May 18.

In a meeting with Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach, Wale "encouraged Australia to think big and think long-term to further grow and nurture the partnership," the prime minister's office said.

Australia had been the largest donor and development partner of choice over several decades, it added.

Dolphin export ban

Wale announced the restoration of a ban on the export of live dolphins, a move welcomed by environmental groups.

The previous government had repealed a decades-old ban on the trade on May 14, the day prime minister Jeremiah Manele was ousted.

Honiara-based environmental campaigner Lawrence Makili told AFP he welcomed the quick action to stop dolphin trafficking.

"It is the right decision not only to save dolphins but protecting the tuna industry," he said.

A company had applied to capture and export 50 dolphins, which environment groups warned would risk the international reputation of the Solomons' tuna industry, one of its largest revenue earners.

Although dolphin hunters in Malaita have traditionally killed the sea creatures for their teeth, the capture and export of dolphins to aquariums in China have more recently drawn scrutiny.