Solomon Islands’ unpredictability fuels US concern as China’s influence grows

Months after the Solomon Islands struck a security pact with China, its leader appeared to repeatedly snub the United States, heightening Washington’s concern but not deterring it from trying to keep the Pacific nation out of Beijing’s orbit.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s unpredictable diplomacy will make it difficult for the United States to make up lost ground with the pivotal island nation as China seeks to expand its security presence, former diplomats and other analysts say.