Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/09/16
By: Matt Yu and Frances Huang

Taipei, Sept. 16 (CNA) The Solomon Islands' decision to switch its recognition to Beijing from Taipei showed China was making efforts to impose its influence on the regional power balance, scholars said Monday.

They said as the South Pacific island-nation was situated in a critically strategic position on the "Second Island Chain," which refers to the area in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that acts as a second strategic defense line for the United States, establishing ties with the Solomon Islands indicated Beijing has expanded the battle ground from the "First Island Chain" to the "Second Island Chain" to take on the United States.

The Island Chain Strategy was first mentioned by U.S. foreign policy commentator John Foster Dulles in 1951 during the Korean War. It suggests containing the spread of communism from the Soviet Union and China by surrounding them at sea and demarcating lines of defense in the Pacific Ocean.

The First Island Chain is formed by Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan and the Philippines.   [FULL  STORY]