WASHINGTON: Pacific nation Solomon Islands has mentioned it will exclude non-member nations from a key regional summit in September, a bunch that features China, Taiwan and the US.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele mentioned earlier this week he would defer a gathering of the Pacific Island Discussion board’s non-member “dialogue companions”.
Manele’s choice heads off a brewing diplomatic squabble over the presence of Taiwanese diplomats at this 12 months’s discussion board in Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara.
There have been fears that China – which counts Solomon Islands amongst its closest companions within the Pacific – would use its muscle to see Taiwan excluded.
Solomon Islands recognised Taiwan till 2019, when it switched allegiance to China.
Taiwan and different dialogue companions have traditionally been allowed to satisfy with Pacific nations on the sidelines of the discussion board, generally known as PIF.
“We all know this situation is all about China and Taiwan,” opposition politician Peter Kenilorea Jr instructed parliament earlier this week.
