Solomon Islands ‘yet to decide’ on Taiwan-Beijing diplomacy debate

Issue will not be finalised until Pacific nation’s cabinet has reviewed a task force report, foreign affairs department says

Taipei says Beijing’s expansion in region ‘has made many countries to fall into the trap of debt’

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Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, pictured with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, vowed to review his country’s relationship with Taipei after he was elected in April. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:38pm, 6 Sep 2019Updated: 4:38pm, 6 Sep 2019

The Solomon Islands said on Friday that no decision had yet been made on switching its diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing.

The Pacific island nation is one of just 17 that still recognise Taiwan, but Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare vowed to review the relationship after he was elected in April.

A switch would reduce the number of nations backing Taipei, which Beijing regards as a renegade province, and boost mainland China’s influence among the strategically important Pacific isles.

For the Solomon Islands, where less than half the population has access to electricity, the debate offers a chance to weigh up promises of aid from the two sides.

Solomon Islands politician Peter Shanel Agovaka says his preference is to recognise Beijing.Photo: Xinhua

Government frontbencher Peter Shanel Agovaka, who led a recent ministerial delegation to the Chinese capital to discuss the issue, told a parliamentary committee this week that his preference was to recognise Beijing.

“We cannot sit for the next 40 years with our friends Taiwan, it is time that we make new friends,” he said, arguing links with Beijing would help boost the economy.