The Solomon Islands Foreign Minister says his government will take its time to make an informed decision about whether to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan or pursue closer relations with China.
Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jeremiah Manele. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koro Vaka'uta
The Solomons have been an ally of Taiwan for decades but China has been courting the country and the diplomatic ties were one of the issues during the recent elections.
The US has warned that Chinese interference in the Pacific could lead to conflict and both the Australian Prime Minister and the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister have been in Honiara this week, with some theorising that the timing had to do with the impending diplomatic decision.
But the Solomons' Jeremiah Manele said his government does not feel pressured to make a decision either way.
"It is a sovereign decision, a matter for the Solomon Islands government to look at. On that note, the government is making a comprehensive assessment of the issue so that government, the Caucus and the Cabinet, is well informed on the matter."
Jeremiah Manele said the decision will be made within the next 100 days.
The foreign affairs ministers of New Zealand and Solomon Islands, Winston Peters (R) and Jeremiah Manele (L) shake hands after signing an agreement for continued support in Honiara. June 2019 Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koro Vaka'uta
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Planning Minister Rick Hou said he favoured sticking with Taiwan in terms of the country's diplomatic relations.
Mr Hou, who is the former prime minister, raised the idea of reviewing the relationship.
But he said any decision needed to be done very cautiously and with awareness about the current geopolitical climate.
"Personally I think remaining with people that we know would be the best option for us in terms of our long term interests.
"Getting on with someone that we are not very familiar with, given what we know has happened in other regions, namely Africa and Asia and a number of countries in the region, I would be hesitant."
Rick Hou said this week's visiting delegations of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Deputy Prime Winston Peters did not put any pressure on his government to decide one way or the other. But he said they did seem wary of the potential implications a change in ties could have in the region.
Solomon Islands Minister of Planning and Aid Co-ordination Rick Hou. June 2019 Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koro Vaka'uta
