A Sino-Australian tit-for-tat in Honiara as the two nations try to diplomatically out-muscle one another in the lead-up to this year's Pacific Islands Forum has been described as almost comical.

Australia is providing 61 security vehicles, road upgrades, cybersecurity support and $3 million in budgetary aid for the annual gathering of regional leaders in the Solomon Islands capital.

China, by comparison, has gifted 27 cars for logistics and basic policing equipment for next week's summit but the expectation is that Beijing is manoeuvring to play up its part in the proceedings.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele insists the nation's own law and order officers will have sole responsibility for everyone's wellbeing.

But echoing in his ears is Australia's oft-repeated claim tha

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