Australia asks China, Taiwan to stay out of Solomons politics
 

Australia has demanded China and Taiwan keep out of Solomon Islands politics, ahead of next week's election for a new prime minister in the troubled South Pacific nation.

"Inappropriate influences from other countries in the Solomon Islands are totally out of order," Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison said Friday during a four-hour visit to the riot-battered capital Honiara.

"Where money is inappropriately used which can lead to corruption is something that Australia disagrees with strongly," Ellison told reporters, adding that legitimate aid from Beijing and Taipei was more than welcome.

Riots erupted in Honiara last week after the election of Snyder Rini as the new prime minister, amid opposition allegations that Rini had accepted money from prominent local Chinese businessmen and Taiwan to bribe MPs for support.

Dozens of Chinese-owned businesses were razed and hundreds of Chinese left the country for fear of reprisals during two days of rioting and looting in the capital. Rini stepped down after just eight days as prime minister.

The Solomon Islands is one of 26 countries worldwide which gives diplomatic recognition to Taipei rather than Beijing.

China and Taiwan have been accused of having a destabilising influence in the Pacific by using chequebook diplomacy to win diplomatic recognition.

Ellison also warned Solomon Island politicians to turn away from corruption when they choose a new prime minister next Thursday.

"Corruption is a high priority for both parties, no matter who forms the government next week," he said, telling MPs there was a need for the new election to be held through "legal and democratic means".

New Zealand Defence Minister Phil Goff delivered a similar message at the end of his two-day visit to the impoverished archipelago on Friday.