The government’s decision to transfer alliances from Taiwan to Beijing is blamed for the protests.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare blamed foreign interference on Friday for the anti-government protests, arson and vandalism that have ravaged the capital in recent days.

Sogavare angered many in 2019, especially the rulers of Solomon Islands’ most populous province, Malaita, when he severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and instead allied with Beijing.

A plane carrying Australian police officers and diplomats arrived in the capital Honiara on Thursday evening, where they will help local police restore order after a second day of violent anti-government protests, Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said.

Sogavare said he supported his government’s decision to embrace Beijing, which he described as the “only problem” in the violence, which was “unfortunately influenced and encouraged by other powers”.

External pressures have had a “very great … influence.” I don’t want to name names. We’re going to stop there, ”Sogavare told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“I’m not going to bow to anyone. We are intact, the government is intact, and we will defend democracy, ”he added.

Critics of Sogavare also blame the lack of government services and corruption for the unrest.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne did not acknowledge that other countries had stoked the unrest.

“We didn’t say that at all,” Payne said.

“We have been very clear. Our point of view is that we don’t want to see violence. We very much hope for a return to stability, ”she added.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday hired troops, police and diplomats to help local police restore order and protect critical infrastructure.

Australia is reportedly not helping to protect the national parliament and executive buildings, a sign that Canberra’s government is not taking political sides.

Some observers say Australia acted quickly to prevent Chinese security forces from intervening to restore order.

But Morrison said Sogavare asked for help because he trusted Australia.

“Solomon Islands first contacted us… as a family because they trust us and we have worked hard for that trust in the Pacific,” Morrison told Adelaide Radio FiveAA.

“This is our region and we are mobilizing to secure our region with our partners, our friends, our family and our allies,” he added.

Sogavare requested Australia’s help under a bilateral security treaty that has existed since 2017, when Australian peacekeepers last left the Solomon Islands.

Australia led an international police and military force called the Solomon Islands Regional Assistance Mission which restored peace to the country after ethnic violence from 2003 to 2017.

China, meanwhile, expressed concern over recent attacks on some Chinese citizens and institutions, without providing details.

Honiara’s Chinatown was reportedly hit hard by arsonists and looters.

“We believe that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sogavare, the government of Solomon Islands can restore social order and stability as soon as possible,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Thursday.

He said economic and other cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations has benefited both sides. “Any attempt to undermine the normal development of China-Solomon Islands relations is futile,” he said.

Dutton said a plane carrying 23 federal police officers and several diplomats flew from Canberra to Honiara on Thursday evening.

Up to 50 other police and 43 members of the defense force with a navy patroller were due to arrive on Friday.

The Australian force would also be equipped to “provide a medical response,” Dutton said.

“It’s definitely a dangerous situation on the pitch. We have seen the riots that have taken place, the arson and the general disorder that is going on right now as well, ”Dutton told Nine Network television.

“So there is a lot of work for the police on the ground,” he added.

Sogavare declared a lockdown on Wednesday after around 1,000 people gathered to protest in Honiara, demanding his resignation over a host of domestic issues.

Protesters breached the National Parliament building and burned the thatched roof of a nearby building, the government said. They also set a police station and other buildings on fire.

Sogavare ordered the lockdown of the capital from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Friday after saying he had “witnessed yet another sad and unfortunate event aimed at overthrowing a democratically elected government”.

Despite the announcement by the Solomon Islands Police Force that they would conduct increased patrols through Honiara amid the lockdown, protesters took to the streets again on Thursday.

Local media reported that many protesters came from Malaita, whose prime minister, Daniel Suidani, disagreed with Sogavare, whom he accuses of being too close to Beijing.

Suidani said he was not responsible for the violence in Honiara, but told the Solomon Star News he agreed with calls for Sogavare’s resignation.

McGuirk reported from Canberra and Rising reported from Bangkok, Thailand.