SYDNEY: China is offering to bankroll a development fund for the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific if it switches diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing, a parliamentary committee in the small island nation has heard.
"But for you, we will give you a for a certain period," Fugui said, referring to recent negotiations with Beijing officials.Fugui said the offer would help fill an immediate gap should the Solomons cut ties with Taiwan that date back to 1983.The Solomons, an archipelago of just over 600,000 people, relies heavily on such payments due to its limited means of generating income, which is largely through timber exports.
Fugui spoke positively about a potential switch in ties at a parliamentary committee in the capital of Honiara on Wednesday, although he said the task force had not yet completed its report. An observer at the meetings told Reuters that:"The government is trying to make a relationship with China now; but to formalise it we need to wait for the report." The meeting was open to the public, but has not been broadcast.Joanne Ou, spokeswoman for Taiwan's foreign ministry, said:"Relationship with Solomon Islands currently is stable, but we are closely monitoring and situation and development.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »