Lobby group, Transparency Solomon Islands, in a press release published in the Solomon Star, has criticised the actions of certain Members within the DCGA Government in pressuring Prime Minister Sogavare to establish diplomatic ties with China. TSI urged the Members to instead support Prime Minister Sogavare instead of causing instability by threatening a motion of no confidence in the event the switch – which TSI described as a non-issue – does not happen. (Source: Solomon Star, 21 May 2019)
TSI’s description of the debate over whether Solomon Islands should switch to China as a non-issue is curious given Solomon Islands’ historical reliance on development-aid from foreign states and entities – notably Australia, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. If China joins that group, that could have serious and significant repercussions not only locally but globally as well. The debate, within the DCGA Government, over whether Solomon Islands should partner with China is therefore a very serious issue and one that will need to be dealt with sooner rather than later. While Prime Minister Sogavare may been keen to keep the status quo, if the majority of the Members within the DCGA Government want to switch, then according to the principle of democracy, the will of the majority may have to be followed. The fact that TSI has considered it necessary to enter the debate suggests the pro-China movement within the DCGA Government is very real and may be gaining momentum. Taipei will surely look forward to more similar articles appearing in the media if it is to have any chance of maintaining the status quo. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.
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