China to equip and train Solomon Islands police force

Pacific Island nation to host six Chinese officers as well as receiving shields, helmets and batons, says government

China will send police officers to the Solomon Islands to help train its police force, the Pacific island nation says, after rioting last month sparked by the country's 2019 switch of diplomatic relations to Beijing from Taiwan.

The unrest, in which dozens of buildings were burnt down, arose after the decision by prime minister Manasseh Sogavare to launch relations with China fuelled a dispute between the national government and the most populous province, Malaita. Other domestic issues also stirred the discontent.