Solomon Islands Government continuing to review the question of China relations.
It has been reported in the Solomon Star newspaper this morning that the SIG’s task force to review the China-Taiwan relations will leave today for their second leg of tour to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and then onto Beijing, China.
Quote:
The group will be led by Chairman of the Task force John Moffat Fugui.
Members of the task force include: Jamie Vokia, Rex Ramofafia, Amoi Chachabule, Rolland Seleso and Titus Fika.
Two officials who will also form part of the delegation are Bernard Bata’anisia, consultant to the Task force and McFadden Arounisaka, an official from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The group has completed its first leg of Pacific tour from June 25 to July 20 to Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
During the Pacific tour they held meetings with Deputy Prime Ministers, senior Government Ministers, top Government officials, community groups and other stakeholders. They also visited some of the projects funded by China.
The trip had been endorsed by Cabinet in June.
The group will spend a week in PNG talking to Government officials and other stakeholders before heading off to China.
While in PNG they will also visit some of the projects funded by China and look at how Beijing has supported PNG over the years.
Upon their return the group will compile a report and then submit it to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet at the end of the month.
Based on the report Government will then decide on the next step in terms of its future relations with Taiwan and China.
Solomon Islands has had diplomatic ties with Taipei for over 36 years.
Since the new Government came into power it was agreed to review its ties with Taiwan.
As an aside to this news story, Radio New Zealand reported today that China had donated $US2 million to the Federated States of Micronesia trust fund after a request from the country’s leader, President David Panuelo.
Quoting the news report in full, it said:
“President David Panuelo received the donation during a meeting this week with a special envoy of his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
“A release from Micronesia's government quotes the envoy, Yang Chuantang, saying the cash grant was unusual because China usually invests in infrastructure.
"China is ready to work with the FSM to strengthen our cooperation and push for more growth for our strategic relationship," he was quoted as saying.
“The trust fund's balance sits at $US636 million, according to the latest available figures from 2018.
“Mr Panuelo, who was sworn into office in May, asked China to make contributions to its trust fund in June, during a meeting with its ambassador to FSM, Huang Zheng.
“On Monday, Mr Panuelo said that China was assisting his country with many infrastructure projects, including a college gymnasium, a government complex in Chuuk state and roads and bridges in the capital Pohnpei.
“China and FSM will celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations on 11 September.”
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
