Solomon Islands and China are strengthening ties in a worrying move for US and its Pacific allies

BEIJING (AP) — The new Solomon Islands prime minister is in China for a visit as Beijing and the strategic Pacific archipelago strengthen their ties. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital on Friday after a stop in coastal Fujian province earlier this week. China’s influence increased significantly during the term of Manele’s predecessor, with the country switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China and the two sides striking a secretive security pact. The tighter ties with China are seen as undermining the influence of the U.S. and other traditional allies in the Western Pacific. Xi also met the prime minister of Vanuatu on Friday in back-to-back meetings with Pacific Island nations.