Updated September 22nd, 2019 at 18:50 IST
China and the Solomon Islands establish diplomatic relations
China and the Solomon Islands have established diplomatic relations after the latter cut its ties with Taiwan in the wake of Beijing's increasing control.
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China and the Solomon Islands have established diplomatic relations after the latter cut its ties with the state of Taiwan in the wake of Beijing's increasing control in the pacific region. The agreement was inked by the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, and Solomons Islands' Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele at a government guest house in Beijing on September 21.
A new beginning
Wang stated that they were waiting for swift developments of diplomatic relations between both the nations who in turn promised to lend a helping hand to the islands in moving forward on the part of development as it was a very reasonable decision to have formal relations that would benefit both the sides.
Jeremiah Manele said that their decision to sever ties with Taiwan and then join hands with China was solely based on the factor of national needs. He further added that the challenges with respect to development are huge in size and that is why they needed China to come into the picture. Another Pacific island nation by the name of Kiribati made an announcement on September 20 that it has shifted its international ties to China.
Taiwan suffered two major diplomatic blows in the Pacific this week, with both Solomon Islands and Kiribati severing their ties in favour of China. https://t.co/0OJIVlmJXb
— RNZ Pacific (@RNZPacific) September 21, 2019
The decision shows a significant setback for Taiwan who has held the status of a de facto nation-state since the civil war ended in the year 1949. Even today China considers the Island to be a part of it and have given its word on taking the Island even it means that they have to exert some measures that require the use of force.
The dollar diplomacy
Both the Pacific Island nation's decision has caused a problem for Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen who is seeking re-election in January 2020. This has led the count to 7 allies that Taiwan has lost to China since Tsai became the president in the year 2016.
From the time Tsai Ing-wen was elected, China has increased the pressure on Taiwan by organizing frequent bomber patrols around the islands. China has suspicions that Taiwan's president is gunning for her state's independence.
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Also, the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei has put allegations on Beijing that it is using dollar diplomacy to buy their allies.
Having the Solomon and Kiribati islands by their side, China has further solidified its position in the Pacific region where the United States of America along with Australia are concerned about China's increasing presence.
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Published September 22nd, 2019 at 13:29 IST
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