Leaked documents reveal the Chinese embassy in Solomon Islands made a failed bid to import a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols and rifles into Honiara last year after violent riots roiled the city.
The embassy also requested permission to fly in a 10-man security detail into the capital to protect Chinese diplomats and their large diplomatic compound, leaked documents reveal.
That diplomatic note was sent to the government of Solomon Islands on December 3, only a week after rioters targeted several Chinese-owned businesses in widespread protests against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The riots were partly fuelled by public resentment among Solomon Islanders opposed to Mr Sogavare's decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, although they were also driven by broader ethnic tensions and economic frustration.
According to the leaked document, the Chinese embassy made the bid because it feared it would be targeted in future protests.
That document also said the security team would hold diplomatic passports and hold "official status" as "diplomatic attaches".
It added that the security detail would "enhance the safety and security of the Chinese embassy" and be "responsible for internal security and necessary escort missions outside the embassy".
Finally, the embassy also pressed the government of Solomon Islands for a quick response, and said that — given the "current security situation in Solomon Islands" as well as the "pressing security concerns of the Chinese embassy" — it would be "highly appreciated if the government of Solomon Islands could facilitate to grant permission".
The note said the team would bring in "light weapons" but the attached list of items proposed for import included much heavier weaponry: two machine guns, a sniper rifle, 10 rifles, 10 pistols and thousands of bullets.
An internal memo from the Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry, which was also leaked, appeared to indicate that the Solomon Islands' government was initially open to the request.
The senior official heading the Foreign Ministry, Collin Beck, wrote that the Chinese embassy's request "stemmed from the recent three days of November riots, of which the Solomon Islands Chinese community faced the brunt of the looting and violence amongst other business owners".
However, Solomon Islands government sources have told the ABC the offer was later rejected by Mr Sogavare's cabinet, but they did not provide details.
The government of Solomon Islands may have hesitated because it has not typically allowed foreign embassies and high commissions to deploy their own armed personnel for protection.
In his note, Mr Beck acknowledged the proposed shift, writing that China's request "sadly — sets a precedent."
However, he still recommended pressing ahead, and said that China was a "special case" because "public debate was and remains directed against China's interests in the country".
Mr Beck also said the deployment would last for "six to 12 months", although there is no reference to this time frame in the Chinese embassy documents.
While armed Australian police and army personnel remain in Honiara as part of an international assistance team, they are under the direction of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, rather than the Australian embassy.
It is not clear whether they provide regular protection to any diplomatic compounds in the city.
Leak of the documents also demonstrates how internal anger over the government's planned security pact with China is further destabilising politics in Solomon Islands.
The leaked documents were released by a group called "Public Servants for Transparency", who are pitching themselves as Solomon Islands officials opposed to both the security agreement and corruption in the government.
The ABC has not been able to independently verify the identify of those in the group.
However, in a statement the group warns there may be more leaks to come, declaring they have "supporters all over government" with "similar stories to tell".
They also urged Mr Sogavare to ignore advice from senior officials in favour of the deal.
The ABC has sought comment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Solomon Islands, the Chinese embassy in Honiara and the Australian government. None has yet responded to the request.
Late on Tuesday, Mr Sogavare's office issued a statement berating those behind the leak, saying they were "hell bent on creating instability for their own interests".
He also said that the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force would issue a statement.
