Solomon Islands' lawmakers elected China-friendly former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister on Thursday.

Manele, while briefing reporters after the election, said the result reflected the minds of the people, as he revealed that he was happy that there was no violence.

Governor-General David Vunag revealed that Manele won 31 votes in a secret ballot of 50 MPs, in the climax of a national election that will resonate in Beijing, Washington and across the South Pacific.

Manele's opponent, democratic reformer and longtime opposition leader Matthew Wale, got 18 votes.

Reporters who observed that process said voting quads of police patrolled the parliamentary grounds as MPs voted inside, warding off unrest that has plagued past elections.

Manele was foreign minister in 2019 when Solomon Islands turned its back on Taiwan and established diplomatic ties with Beijing.

Manele thertefore vowed to create a government of national unity that would focus on improving the economy and progress on the country's recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.