Taipei official says Members of Parliament ridiculous

An article in the Solomon Star reports that a spokesperson from the Taipei Embassy in Honiara has described some Members of Parliament as ridiculous, for blaming Taipei for failing to build infrastructure and create job opportunities at their constituencies. The Taipei spokesperson is reported to have said that Taipei’s contribution of $1.4 million constituency development funds each year to each constituency should be enough, and that if Members of Parliament want to see developments in their constituencies, then they should put the CDF into good use. (Source: Solomon Star, 28 May 2019)

The article is in stark contrast to other previous statements by Taipei officials in the media which have repeatedly described Taipei’s relationship with the DCGA Government as strong – despite reports that some members of the DCGA Government were inclined to switch to China.

#offtherecord

Australian Prime Minister to visit Solomon Islands to promote Australia’s national interest

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will visit Solomon Islands next week. It will be Morrison’s first overseas trip since winning re-election and will also be the first time an Australian prime minister has visited Solomon Islands since 2008. (Source: Reuters, 27 May 2019)

The announced visit comes shortly after Morrison met with a U.S official who publicly expressed views – likely directed at Prime Minister Sogavare and the pro-China group within the DCGA Government – that Solomon Islands should maintain its diplomatic relations with Taipei and not switch to China. The exact purpose of the visit is not clear – and the DCGA Government has not yet released any public statement over how the visit was arranged and what purpose it would serve – but it may be linked to the China situation. If history is anything to go by, Australia may engage in chequebook diplomacy to dissuade the Solomon Islands Government from engaging with China, just as it did with Chinese company, Huawei.

#dontworryimfromaustraliaandimheretohelp

USA seeks to influence Solomon Islands over China situation

U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia, W Patrick Murphy, has warned Solomon Islands – and in particular the Sogavare led DCGA Governemnt – to maintain the status quo with Taipei. The U.S. official says that countries – like Solomon Islands – should make their own independent choice of who they enter into diplomatic relations with, and that they should make that choice on the basis of domestic ingredients, not foreign influence. The U.S. official said the U.S. was very keen to help countries – like Solomon Islands – protect their sovereignty and their independence, and that Solomon Islands should depend on the U.S. for their development, infrastructure, and nation building needs. (Source: Reuters, 24 May 2019)

The statements from the U.S. official suggest that it would not be in the interest of the U.S. for Solomon Islands to establish diplomatic ties with China. The U.S. official’s statements suggest the U.S. will make full use of its diplomatic arsenal – including its chequebook to fund infrastructure developments – to ensure Solomon Islands’ decision on the China situation aligns with U.S. interests. It will be interesting to see how the DCGA Government reacts to the U.S. official’s suggestion.

#newcoldwar

Pro-Taipei article appears in local press

An article in the Solomon Star promotes Taipei for supporting the education and training of two Solomon Islands medical students in a hospital in Taipei. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

The pro-Taipei article follows a number of similar pro-Taipei articles that have also been published in the local press. The ongoing publication of pro-Taipei articles suggests that the press may have an important role in influencing public perception over the China situation. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#propaganda

Pro-Taipei article appears in local press

An opinion-piece in the Solomon Star promotes Taipei. The opinion-piece denies media reports that the majority of Members in the DCGA Government support a switch to China, warns that a switch to China would not be in the best interest of Taipei’s relationship with Solomon Islands, and suggests alternative facts to the China situation. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

The pro-Taipei article follows a number of similar pro-Taipei articles that have also been published in the local press and repeats the usual chorus of talking points – of Taipei’s long friendship and support in their development-aid programs, that infrastructure projects promised by China could be a debt trap that could force Solomon Islands to surrender its sovereignty to China, and that the DCGA Government still supports Taipei. The ongoing publication of pro-Taipei articles from apparently ordinary citizens suggests that the press may have an important role in influencing public perception over the China situation. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#astroturfing

Opposition Leader calls Prime Minister liar and incompetent

In an article in the Solomon Star, the Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Wale, calls Prime Minister Sogavare a liar for denying that there is a split within the DCGA Government over the China situation, alleges that DCGA Government Ministers boycotted the recent function aboard Taipei’s naval vessel, and questions the Prime Minister’s competence to handle the China situation. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

While the Opposition Leader criticised Prime Minister Sogavare’s handling of the China situation, it is not clear whether Mr Wale is in favour of establishing diplomatic ties with China.

#politics

Government remains divided over China situation

In an article in the Solomon Star, the Solomon Star says that its sources within the Government confirm that there is a split within the DCGA Government over the China situation. (Source: Solomon Star, 24 May 2019)

This appears to contradict the statement from Prime Minister Sogavare that the DCGA Government was united on the China situation. At this stage, the press have not identified by name which Members in particular are in favour of switching to China except to say that the Members are from Guadalcanal and Malaita provinces. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#politics

Pro-Taipei article quoting Guadalcanal man appears in local press

A Guadalcanal man has told the Solomon Star of his support for Taipei, and called on the country, and on the DCGA Government in particular, to appreciate Taipei for what it had done over the years. He said he would be disappointed if the Solomon Islands switched to China. (Source: Solomon Star, 23 May 2019)

Given the continuing uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China, the issue remains a hot topic. The press have published many articles on the issue, and this recent article continues a trend of articles featuring pro-Taipei comments sourced from citizens of Solomon Islands. According to recent media reports, Taipei may be having some trouble communicating with the DCGA Government, and Taipei would hope that this pro-Taipei article can influence public perception in their favour, and perhaps nudge the DCGA Government to look their way instead of towards China. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#astroturfing

Taipei offers olive branch to Government

An unnamed official from Taipei based in Honiara, in a statement published in the Solomon Star, has confirmed that there is no official dialogue with the DCGA Government over whether Solomon Islands will maintain the status quo or switch to China. The Taipei official however announced that it would offer an olive branch to assist in the building of sports infrastructures needed to host the 2023 Pacific Games. The official further announced that Solomon Islanders who graduate from Universities in Taipei will be allowed to live and work there after graduation. (Source: Solomon Star, 21 May 2019)

Taipei’s admission that there is still no official dialogue with the DCGA Government and its offer of an olive branch is rather telling. Given China’s extensive experience in building sports stadiums for the previous Pacific Games hosts, and given that only Taipei-educated Solomon Islanders would be able to work in Taiwan, Taipei’s offer may not be as attractive as it ought to be if the status quo is to be maintained. The uncertainty over whether Solomon Islands will establish diplomatic ties with China continues.

#bargaining

TSI criticises pro-China movement in Government

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.

#astroturfing