China, Solomon Islands establish diplomatic ties

China and the Solomon Islands signed a joint communique in Beijing Saturday on the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The communique was signed by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands' Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele after they held talks.

The communique stated that the two countries have decided to recognize each other and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level effective from the date of signature of this communique, in keeping with the interests and desire of the two peoples.

China and the Solomon Islands agree to develop friendly relations on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and Solomon Islands' Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele sign a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations after their talks in Beijing, on Saturday, September 21, 2019. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

The government of Solomon Islands recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, according to the communique.

"The Government of the Solomon Islands shall sever 'diplomatic relations' with Taiwan as of this day and undertakes that it shall no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan. The Government of the People's Republic of China appreciates this position of the Government of the Solomon Islands," the communique said.

Prior to the signing of the communique, the Solomon Islands announced in a statement that it recognized the one-China principle and severed the so-called "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan.

History will prove that the decision to forge diplomatic ties with China meets the fundamental and long-term interests of the people of the Solomon Islands, and is also in line with the irresistible trend of the times, Wang said.

Mentioning the upcoming 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Wang said the timing of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries brings a special significance and promises bright prospects in bilateral relations.

Wang pledged China shall not impose its own will on the Solomon Islands or seek unilateral interests in bilateral cooperation. "Cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands will be fair, open, mutually beneficial and inclusive."

The one-China principle is approved by the United Nations General Assembly and is the consensus of the international community, Wang noted, adding that 179 countries have established diplomatic ties with China so far.

He said China must and will eventually achieve national reunification. "The Taiwan region was, is and will continue to be an inalienable part of China's territory, both de facto and de jure. This status will not and cannot be changed."

"There are only a handful of countries who have not yet established diplomatic relations with China. We believe more and more visionary people in these countries will speak up for justice in keeping with the overriding trend of the times," Wang noted.

Manele said the political decision made by the government of the Solomon Islands to sever "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan and establish diplomatic relations with China is in the long-term interests of the country.

The government and people of Solomon Islands congratulate China for the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China and admire the tremendous achievements made by China in the past 70 years, Manele said.

Manele said his country hopes to join the Belt and Road Initiative at an early date and conduct cooperation with China in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, mineral, medical and health, so as to promote its own economic and social development, benefit its people and open a new chapter of bilateral relations.

Many developing countries, including Pacific island nations such as the Solomon Islands, are attracted to cooperation with China as China does not seek hegemony and provides developing opportunities with no strings attached, said Su Xiaohui, a researcher with the China Institute of International Studies.

"As the Solomon Islands chose to establish diplomatic relations with China, it chose to stand in line with the trend of history," Su said.