19 Jun 2019

Taiwan downplays Solomons trip to China

6:13 pm on 19 June 2019

Taiwan says its ties with Solomon Islands have not been weakened by a government delegation visit to China.

Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, 2017.

Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, 2017. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Solomons delegation, led by two cabinet ministers, visited China last week.

The Central News Agency reported the trip comes at a time when the Solomon Islands government is considering whether to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan or switch recognition to China.

However, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains its relations with its Pacific ally are strong and stable.

A ministry spokesperson downplayed the visit, saying that it was aimed at conducting a survey of the Chinese timber market which is the Solomons main export destination.

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