10 ‘No Need China!’
-
Edward Acton Cavanough
Abstract
Like so many of the bureaucratic processes in the Solomons, catching transport around the country requires patience and creativity. Chinese immigration to Solomon Islands began as early as the late nineteenth century, albeit in very small numbers. Initially, the few dozen Chinese who came to the British Protectorate of Solomon Islands had come as labourers, following the precedent set in other British colonies and protectorates around the Pacific. As the country began its path towards independence in the 1960s and 1970s, the Chinese community made further efforts to assimilate: many converted to Christianity; others built schools. Malaita for Democracy, or M4D began piecing together a manifesto that it hoped would shape the Malaitan policy agenda. Although the Malaitan provincial government’s opposition to the Switch may have looked ironclad from the outset, in fact, the Suidani government’s response to the Switch was muted in the weeks after it was announced.
Abstract
Like so many of the bureaucratic processes in the Solomons, catching transport around the country requires patience and creativity. Chinese immigration to Solomon Islands began as early as the late nineteenth century, albeit in very small numbers. Initially, the few dozen Chinese who came to the British Protectorate of Solomon Islands had come as labourers, following the precedent set in other British colonies and protectorates around the Pacific. As the country began its path towards independence in the 1960s and 1970s, the Chinese community made further efforts to assimilate: many converted to Christianity; others built schools. Malaita for Democracy, or M4D began piecing together a manifesto that it hoped would shape the Malaitan policy agenda. Although the Malaitan provincial government’s opposition to the Switch may have looked ironclad from the outset, in fact, the Suidani government’s response to the Switch was muted in the weeks after it was announced.
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
