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AUSTRALIA WATCHES AS CHINESE PROXIES TRY TO JAIL OPPOSITION
The Sunday Guardian
|October 19, 2025
On October 20 the verdict is due in a legally spurious case of unlawful assembly against Daniel Suidani and another pro-democracy leader Celsus Talifilu in the Solomon Islands.
Australia's approach to China's ongoing destruction of economies, societies and democracies in places like Solomon Islands looks a lot like the scene in the TV show, "Yes, Prime Minister", in which the civil servants explain the "Standard Foreign Office response in a time of crisis".
Stage One: say nothing is going to happen.
Stage Two: say something may be about to happen, but we should do nothing about it.
Stage Three: say that maybe we should do something about it, but there's nothing we *can* do.
Stage Four: say maybe there was something we could have done, but it's too late now.
Australia's staged approach was on full display in 2019 when Solomons and Kiribati switched from Taiwan to China. First some Australians were telling American counterparts it wasn't going to happen. Then, it might happen but it was under control. Then, something was happening but they couldn't interfere in the internal affairs of another country. Then it was too late.
Bye-bye, Taiwan, hello, Chinese embassy and all that's hidden inside.
THE FOUR STAGES OF AUSTRALIA
This happens over and over.
On October 26, 2021, The Sunday Guardian ran an article titled: CCP aggression could lead to violence in Solomon Islands: Hon. P. Kenilorea.
It quoted the respected opposition leader describing the disruptions caused by Chinese political warfare in Solomons, and what happened when he warned his bigger neighbours (including Australia) about the dangers of the situation: "I keep repeating myself to certain high commissioners but I'm told 'we don't want to upset the apple cart,' as it were.
Also that they want to work with the government of the day." Stage Two and Three.
Almost exactly a month later, there were riots in the capital. Maybe there was something Australia could have done, but it was too late.
Stage Four. Yes, Prime Minister prophesy fulfilled.
STAGE FIVE
This story is from the October 19, 2025 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
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