Seems like a great opportunity to pull "nuclear umbrella" bs. A trick from the US playbook. Befriend a country close to your adversary, draft a mutual defense treaty, declare that you will nuke any country that will invade your new friend, then install a base. This is how the US put bases everywhere between 1945-1975.
I am not endorsing such a stance but if the Chinese intelligence concludes that Solomon Islands will be invaded, then I will support it. This Anglos invading anywhere they want bullshit needs to stop. I bet China's influence would increase if this happens. Countries should know that China will back them if the current hegemon or its allies try to punish them for their choices.