Australia upholds status as Solomon Islands' 'partner of choice'

SYDNEY -- Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles visited the Solomon Islands on Tuesday in a gesture intended to reaffirm Sydney's partnership with the Pacific nation as China pushes to expand its influence in the region.

Marles met with the Solomon Islands' newly elected, China-friendly prime minister, Jeremiah Manele, and announced Canberra will pledge 50 million Australian dollars ($33.2 million) for border management and a health care center in the country.