Pro-China local leader ousted in Solomon Islands election

Honiara (AFP) April 19, 2024

Beijing's bid to build influence across the Solomon Islands hit a major snag Friday, with the pro-China premier of the Pacific nation's most populous province losing his seat in country-wide elections. Malaita premier Martin Fini - who has overseen the swift expansion of Chinese interests in the province - lost his re-election bid, according to the election commission. For years, the