We’ve heard a lot about the Solomon Islands and China becoming close buddies, and last week, a new policing pact was signed between the two nations. But there was fresh drama yesterday as Solomons PM Manasseh Sogavare accused Australia of promising – and then withdrawing – budget support. Sogavare was fresh from a trip to China where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss their “comprehensive strategic partnership” and the funding that comes with it – which Aussie analysts say is China’s unsubtle attempts to buy influence in the Pacific. And in a blistering press conference, he said Aussie/Kiwi shortfalls in funding “left this country and people in a predicament. But I am glad to announce and delighted to announce the People’s Republic of China have really stepped up”… The Aussie Government is yet to respond to Sogavare’s claims.