13 Seeking Protection
-
Edward Acton Cavanough
Abstract
Ten months after the smoke had settled in Honiara, martial arts expert Wanghu was putting his class through its paces in Buala village, on the north coast of Santa Isabel Island. Over several days in October 2022, Wanghu led a group of forty young girls and boys from Buala through a kung-fu course, teaching them basic self-defence skills. He was a representative of the China Police Liaison Unit (CPLU), who had been making global headlines since their arrival in Solomon Islands in early 2022. For the most part, foreign observers framed Sogavare’s determination to establish the security pact with Beijing as part of a grand geopolitical struggle between East and West. Sogavare’s security partnership with China had also tempered the likelihood of widespread unrest in the future. The Solomon Islands community may have been sceptical of China, but many also feared its brutality, especially the Chinese style of policing.
Abstract
Ten months after the smoke had settled in Honiara, martial arts expert Wanghu was putting his class through its paces in Buala village, on the north coast of Santa Isabel Island. Over several days in October 2022, Wanghu led a group of forty young girls and boys from Buala through a kung-fu course, teaching them basic self-defence skills. He was a representative of the China Police Liaison Unit (CPLU), who had been making global headlines since their arrival in Solomon Islands in early 2022. For the most part, foreign observers framed Sogavare’s determination to establish the security pact with Beijing as part of a grand geopolitical struggle between East and West. Sogavare’s security partnership with China had also tempered the likelihood of widespread unrest in the future. The Solomon Islands community may have been sceptical of China, but many also feared its brutality, especially the Chinese style of policing.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Map of Solomon Islands ix
- Milestones in the History of Solomon Islands xi
- Introduction 1
- I Island Universe 11
- 1 ‘Afuera! ’ 15
- 2 Jungle Road 25
- II Restive state 33
- 3 Running Aground 35
- 4 Manasseh of East Choiseul 49
- 5 Maasina Men 71
- III The switch 83
- 6 Devil’s Night 85
- 7 Escape from Adeliua 100
- 8 The Games 112
- 9 Rivers of Gold 120
- IV Rebellion 131
- 10 ‘No Need China!’ 133
- 11 Wuhan Window 148
- 12 Honiara Burning 165
- V Twisted iron 175
- 13 Seeking Protection 177
- 14 Red Line 188
- 15 Arc of Anxiety 201
- VI Where the North Road ends 211
- 16 Henderson Concession 213
- 17 East to Fataleka 225
- 18 Mustafa Rising 244
- 19 Making a Martyr 260
- Epilogue 271
- Notes 285
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Map of Solomon Islands ix
- Milestones in the History of Solomon Islands xi
- Introduction 1
- I Island Universe 11
- 1 ‘Afuera! ’ 15
- 2 Jungle Road 25
- II Restive state 33
- 3 Running Aground 35
- 4 Manasseh of East Choiseul 49
- 5 Maasina Men 71
- III The switch 83
- 6 Devil’s Night 85
- 7 Escape from Adeliua 100
- 8 The Games 112
- 9 Rivers of Gold 120
- IV Rebellion 131
- 10 ‘No Need China!’ 133
- 11 Wuhan Window 148
- 12 Honiara Burning 165
- V Twisted iron 175
- 13 Seeking Protection 177
- 14 Red Line 188
- 15 Arc of Anxiety 201
- VI Where the North Road ends 211
- 16 Henderson Concession 213
- 17 East to Fataleka 225
- 18 Mustafa Rising 244
- 19 Making a Martyr 260
- Epilogue 271
- Notes 285
