The Solomon Islands' pro-China leader has pulled out of the fight to remain as the Pacific nation's prime minister, in a decision sure to be felt in Canberra, Washington and Beijing.
The leader of Solomon Islands has hit back at criticism of his nation's deepening security ties with China, saying the United States and Australia have nothing to fear.
The Solomon Islands lie 2,000 kilometres northeast of Australia, has been China's biggest success in a campaign to expand its presence in the South Pacific.
The quake's epicentre was in the ocean about 56km southwest of the capital, Honiara, at a depth of 13 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.
Ensuring Australia remains the security partner of choice for Pacific nations will be a key topic for Anthony Albanese when he attends a key meeting this week.
An opposition politician from the only foreign country to currently host a Chinese military base has urged the US and Australia to do more to help the Pacific.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today Australia is "very aware" of Chinese ambitions in the Pacific after reports Beijing is planning to build port infrastructure on the Solomon Islands.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has insisted Australia wants a "strong friendship" with the Solomon Islands despite reports its Prime Minister will invite Chinese forces there.
Prime Minister Sogavare has launched a broadside against countries critical of its new deal with China, saying the Pacific nation had been "threatened with invasion".
A senior federal government minister has suggested China deliberately timed its controversial security agreement with the Solomon Islands to coincide with Australia's federal election.
The Biden administration on Thursday warned the Solomon Islands that the United States will take unspecified action against the South Pacific nation should its recently concluded cooperation agreement with China pose a threat to US or allied interests.
China's military could arrive at Australia's doorstep sooner than expected, with Chinese ships and aircrafts expected to touch down at the Solomon Islands in just weeks.
As wealthy Western nations like Australia tally up how many of their population have now had a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, many of the world's poorest nations have barely started jabbing at all.
Violence receded in the capital of the Solomon Islands, but the government showed no signs of addressing the underlying grievances that sparked two days of riots
Violent protests in the Solomon Islands that triggered the intervention of Australian peacekeepers are linked to geopolitical rivalry thousands of kilometres away.