Solomon Islands suspends Chinese biometric surveillance program

In the Solomon Islands, Chinese police were deployed to the Fighter One community after locals asked for help with disorderly youth. The deployment followed the 2022 security pact between the island nation and China, which had earlier supported a Chinese development proposal. Chinese officers introduced a biometric data collection effort that drew immediate opposition from residents and opposition parties, leading the programme to be halted.

The surveillance tactics recalled Mao‑era “Fengqiao” practices that encourage neighbors to report each other. Australia has voiced concerns about Beijing’s expanding influence, while the U.S. State Department has not responded to inquiries. The backlash may have contributed to the election of new prime minister Matthew Wale, known for his anti‑China stance. China had also provided a US$1.5 million grant for riot‑control gear and training for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. Local police denied that the initiative was a surveillance operation and said no data would be transferred to foreign authorities. The episode underscores the broader geopolitical competition surrounding China’s Belt‑and‑Road outreach in the Pacific.