AUSTRALIA has been accused of provoking riots aiming to overthrow the government of the Solomon Islands after the South Pacific country cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established relations with Beijing.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare blamed “foreign interference” on Friday for anti-government protests in the capital Honiara, during which parliament was stormed and police stations torched. Rioters also attacked Honiara’s Chinatown district.

According to the New York Times, the Solomon island of Malaita, which has maintained relations with Taiwan, is receiving direct foreign aid from the United States.