Divided Isles : Solomon Islands and the China Switch / Edward Acton Cavanough.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cavanough, Edward Acton, Author.

Contributor:

Cavanough, Edward Acton, Contributor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Solomon Islands--Foreign relations--China.

Solomon Islands.

China--Foreign relations--Solomon Islands.

China.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (304 p.) : 15 black & white illustrations, 1 map

Place of Publication:

Manchester : Manchester University Press, [2024]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

In 2019, Solomon Islands made international headlines when the country severed its decades-old alliance with Taiwan in exchange for a partnership with Beijing. The decision prompted international condemnation and terrified security experts, who feared Australia’s historical Pacific advantage would come unstuck.This development was framed as another example of China’s inevitable capture of the region – but this misrepresents how and why the decision was made, and how Solomon Islanders have skilfully leveraged global angst over China to achieve extraordinary gains. Despite Solomon Islands’ strategic importance, most outsiders know little about the country, a fragile island-nation stretching over a thousand islands and speaking seventy indigenous languages.In Divided Isles, Edward Cavanough explains how the switch played out on the ground and considers its extraordinary potential consequences. He speaks with the dissidents and politicians who shape Solomon Islands’ politics, and to the ordinary people whose lives have been upended by a decision that has changed the country – and the region – forever.

Contents:

Part I. Island Universe

1. ‘Afuera! ’

2. Jungle Road

Part II. Restive state

3. Running Aground

4. Manasseh of East Choiseul

5. Maasina Men

Part III. The switch

6. Devil’s Night

7. Escape from Adeliua

8. The Games

9. Rivers of Gold

Part IV. Rebellion

10. ‘No Need China!’

11. Wuhan Window

12. Honiara Burning

Part V. Twisted iron

13. Seeking Protection

14. Red Line

15. Arc of Anxiety

Part VI. Where the North Road ends

16. Henderson Concession

17. East to Fataleka

18. Mustafa Rising

19. Making a Martyr

Epilogue : Ifutalo's Eden.

Notes:

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 02. Jun 2024)

ISBN:

1-5261-7836-2