STORY: Solomon Islands PM hails decision to forge diplomatic relations with China as historic
DATELINE: July 11, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:45
LOCATION: Honiara
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE (English): MANASSEH SOGAVARE, Solomon Islands Prime Minister

STORYLINE:

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that forging diplomatic relations with China is one of the most significant decisions the Solomon Islands has made over the last 45 years since its independence.

Sogavare made these remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua, ahead of his official visit to China starting on Sunday.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MANASSEH SOGAVARE, Solomon Islands Prime Minister
"I'm confident that the outcome of my visit to China will be positive. Generally, I'm hoping that this trip will further strengthen the Solomon Islands-PRC diplomatic ties. We progress and stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, in pursuing in issues of common interest to the two countries."

The prime minister reaffirmed his country's adherence to the one-China policy.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MANASSEH SOGAVARE, Solomon Islands Prime Minister
"There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an integral part of China.
I need to make it very clear that we are a sovereign country. Who we forge diplomatic relations with and who we engage in technical cooperation, in development cooperation, is none of anyone's business. It is a matter between Solomon Islands and your great country.
For Solomon Islands, forging diplomatic relations with PRC is the best, probably one of the major decisions, many important decisions that we make as a sovereign country over the last 45 years."

Sogavare said the Solomon Islands focused on development. As a developing country, the Solomon Islands needs help and continues to look to China.

China has become the Solomon Islands' biggest trading partner and export destination, with the bilateral trade reaching 498 million U.S. dollars in 2022 and exports to China accounting for two-thirds of the island country's total exports.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MANASSEH SOGAVARE, Solomon Islands Prime Minister
"It (China) has signed partnership agreements on various areas that are of paramount importance to the Pacific island countries likes Solomon Islands, which include the impacts of climate change. Your great country (China) does not only talk about it. It has taken serious drastic steps to address these issues, and these are issues that are dear to the heart of small island Pacific states. This is an area which we believe there should not be any competition between great powers. It is an area that they need to cooperate, work together to assist us and this is what your country's doing."

Sogavare also spoke highly of the cooperation between the Solomon Islands and China, especially on the stadium project for the 2023 Pacific Games, which is being constructed in Honiara with Chinese aid.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MANASSEH SOGAVARE, Solomon Islands Prime Minister
"It's the first time that we will host this game. It is very important for us. We are a post-conflict country. That great investment is not only an investment in sport, it is an investment in peace and stability of this country. You know, the decision by your country to make the single biggest investment in this country is something that touches the hearts of every Solomon Islanders, and it has strengthened the people-to-people relationship. We have a friend, a genuine friend that recognises us."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Honiara.
(XHTV)