SI still with Taiwan: PM

The Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) said, the country’s foreign policy is continually being developed.

Answering an SIBC question about Solomon Islands foreign relations with ROC, Taiwan under his leadership, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said, the Status Quo was maintained but at the same time, it was not hard and fixed.

Prime Minister Sogavare said, the gains of such relationship would be an important consideration.

Solomon Islands currently shares diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but China has also established itself as the country’s biggest trading partner.

Leading up to the election, there were talks both nationally and internationally on the country’s diplomatic affairs with Taiwan and the increasing presence of China in the Pacific, but Prime Minister Manaseh Sogavare said currently, the country was still with Taiwan.

“Right now the status quo is maintained, but its something that we will continue to develop, it is not hard and fast and fixed, ” he said.

“the principles that we follow into diplomatic relations is of course we look at other things as well, how do we benefit from that relationship.”

Mr Sogavare said he was aware of the international attention on the country’s diplomatic relations with Taiwan, saying, this is an important matter the coalition government will discuss.

“So at this point in time, there is nothing in place, we are aware that there are many talks going on,” he said.

“But again it is a matter that we will discuss through the coalition, and then we will see the position of the new government at the appropriate time.”

By: Lowen Sei.