Police at the site of Sunday's explosion Photo: RSIPF
The leader of the parliamentary opposition group in Solomon Islands believes the aid focus by Australia and China should be on development, not guns.
It follows the Australian government's donation of 60 MK-18 assault rifles and a fleet of vehicles to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), earlier this month.
A few days later China made its own police donation - two armoured trucks with mounted Water Cannons and a fleet of dozens of other police vehicles and motorbikes.
Opposition leader Matthew Wale says in a country where the main hospital is often lacking even the most basic medicine it does not make sense to allocate so much overseas aid to security.
"I was at a funeral of a relative last week who died from a lack of panadol to bring his temperature down, so this is the situation at the national referral hospital, basic medicine is lacking and yet we are investing in guns, water canons and the likes."
"Today's handover of vehicles are at the request of the Solomon Islands government," said the Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Li Ming.
"It will further enhance the capacity and capability building of the RSIPPF and further contribute to the law and order management of Solomon Islands."
The ambassador said the policing cooperation between the countries is in the interests of the two countries and benefits the region as a whole.
During the handover ceremony Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavere said, "I am aware that the support geared towards RSIPF continues to focus on improving its capability and the strengthening of its capacity. This is to enhance the ability of RSIPF to respond to law and order issues, especially in relation to public order."
After the government revealed the receipt of weapons and vehicles from Australia, Matthew Wale, called it "very disturbing" and asked why the police force needs high-powered guns.
Wale said Solomon Islands has a dark history with guns, and with recent events involving the public demonstrating their frustration against the government, the weapons could be used against the country's citizens.
