Related: Chinese Embassy in PNG aids Chinese in Solomon Islands

    WELLINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Even though relative calm has been returned to the streets of the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara, the atmosphere remains volatile on Thursday.

    New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said new Prime Minister Snyder Rini of Solomon Islands was sworn in on Thursday, according to the reports by New Zealand media.

    According to Talk ZB, a local radio, Clark said she is concerned that when news of his swearing-in hits the streets the riots could begin again and she is also concerned about another possible flash point when MPs are sworn in next Monday.

    The islanders have to find a political solution to their problems, Clark said.

    The protests erupted in Honiara on Tuesday night, triggered by the election of Snyder Rini as prime minister by 50 lawmakers chosen at an April 5 parliamentary election.

    Dozens of Chinese-owned shops in the Chinatown in Honiara were looted, the reports said.

    Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been taking urgent measures to provide assistance to the overseas Chinese in Solomon Islands, the riot-torn South Pacific state. Enditem

Australia not to give timetable of withdrawal from Solomon Islands

    CANBERRA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Thursday declined to give a timetable of withdrawal of Australian troops from the Solomon Islands, and also left open the option of sending troops to the region.

Situation in riot-torn Solomons better: Australia

An aerial view shows the damage caused by riots in Honiara's Chinatown in this Australian Federal Police handout April 19. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

    CANBERRA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The situation in the riot-torn South Pacific state of the Solomon Islands is better due to "sobering effect" brought by the presence of additional Australian troops there, according to Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday.