Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare survived a no-confidence vote by allegedly using a slush fund of Chinese cash to pay off MPs.
The embattled statesman retained the top job with 32 votes to 15, just two weeks after anti-China riots broke out in the capital Honiara.
In exchange for their support, MPs were allegedly paid the equivalent of AU$44,000 directly into their bank accounts from the South Pacific country's National Development Fund, The Australian reported.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (pictured in parliament) survived a no-confidence vote by allegedly using a slush fund of Chinese cash to pay off MPs
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Honiara, Solomon Islands, November 24, 2021 calling for the prime minister to stand down
Authorities are bracing for more unrest after protesters, fed-up with the Sino stranglehold on the South Pacific nation of 680,000 people, set fire to more than 50 shops and businesses in Chinatown at the end of last month.
The violent mob also targeted government buildings and police stations, forcing Mr Sogavare to grovel for Australia's help.
The outspoken critic of Canberra made an official request to Scott Morrison as the streets descended into chaos.
Australia shipped over a peacekeeping force of 116 federal police and military - supported by troops from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji - and so far law and order has been restored.
But in the wake of the horror scenes and with anger rising, opposition leader Mathew Wale moved a vote of no-confidence in Mr Sogavare's leadership and called for him to stand down.
People walk through the Chinatown district of Honiara on the Solomon Islands on November 26, 2021, after a third day of violence that saw the prime minister's home come under attack and swathes of the city reduced to smouldering ruins
People stand amid debris in front of a burned-out building after days of unrest in Honiara, Solomon Islands November 26, 2021
Tensions have been simmering in Solomon Islands since Mr Sogavare in September 2019 broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of Beijing.
The move angered many locals who fear the country's natural resources - mainly fishing, palm oil and logging - are being fleeced by the authoritarian power.
Beijing handed over about $730 million to the Solomon Islands government after the diplomatic switch was made.
Public sentiment is that this money was paid in exchange for a piece of their sovereignty including access to politicians and backdoors to ownership
