Solomons rethinking Taiwan relationship

Solomons rethinking Taiwan relationship

HONIARA (AFP): Solomon Islands is reconsidering its 20-year- old diplomatic ties with Taiwan and may switch to recognizing China, government sources here say.

Taiwan has been a generous aid donor here and in return the Solomon Islands has supported Taipei's push for re-admittance to the United Nations, against the wishes of China which sees Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification.

But this cordial relationship is now shaky after the new government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said this weekend it was rethinking the issue.

Sogavare's government took over following a coup in June which came after two years of near civil war between the people of Guadalcanal and Malaita.