Solomon Islands is set to hold a parliamentary election on Wednesday, amid growing Chinese influence.

The country, under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and formed ties with China in 2019. The South Pacific island nation signed a security pact with Beijing in 2022.

In the election, the government's pro-China policies, including the security deal, are among key issues.

In the campaign, Sogavare defended stronger ties with China. He said there are beggars in all major cities in the United States, but there are none in China. He questioned whether the US is the world's No.1 economic power.

An opposition leader calls for reviewing ties with China, saying the government is formed by Solomon Islanders, but they do not control it.

Among Pacific countries, Kiribati cut relations with Taiwan and established ties with China in 2019, and Nauru did so in January. Taiwan now maintains diplomatic relations with only three island nations in the Pacific -- Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Palau.