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Democracy My Ass! The Solomon peasants VOTED TAIWAN OUT! The voted for the party that declared manifesto to cut Taiwan & go for Mainland! Democracy you also LL! No Democracy you also LL!
https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2019-05-02/doc-ihvhiqax6248921.shtml
新浪军事 > 中国军情>正文
新闻
又一"友邦"喊"断交" 蔡英文当局慌了：别别别,我给钱
又一"友邦"喊"断交" 蔡英文当局慌了：别别别,我给钱
454
蔡英文（图源：台媒）
海外网5月2日电 台湾又一“友邦”不稳。所罗门群岛新任总理在接受媒体采访时表示，正考虑是否要与台当局“断交”。看到自己仅剩不多的“友邦”又亮红灯，蔡英文当局有点慌，忙表示，别别别，我们给钱。但台当局这个“撒钱救‘友邦’”的操作是否真能奏效？
据澳媒“澳大利亚人”1日报道，台湾在南太平洋的“友邦”索罗门群岛上月24日举行大选，前总理苏嘉瓦瑞（Manasseh Sogavare）再次当选。苏嘉瓦瑞最近在接受索国媒体采访时表示，新政府正重新考虑是否中断与台湾的关系，转向与大陆建交。据悉，大陆是所罗门群岛最大的贸易伙伴，苏嘉瓦瑞认为，所罗门群岛可以从这一外交转给中获得巨大利益。目前，所罗门总理表示自己将和执政盟友商量此事，新政府会在恰当时机公布此事的立场。
“所罗门在此区域具有象征性，一旦改变外交关系就有重大意义，”前澳大利亚驻所罗门群岛外交官巴特利（James Batley）说道。他认为由于所罗门群岛是台湾在亚太地区最大的“友邦”，一旦所罗门群岛投向大陆，恐将引发骨牌效应。
看着自己仅剩不多的“友邦”，蔡英文当局慌了。据“联合新闻网”报道，2日，台当局“外交部”自我安慰称，苏嘉瓦瑞这一表述只是为了考量部分执政联盟的意见。为了稳住“友邦”，台“外交部”再次采取了“撒钱”策略。所罗门主办的2023年太平洋运动会的运动场馆将由台商承揽兴建，而农业、医卫、台湾奖学金、洁净能源等各项合作计划也正在执行。
蔡英文和苏嘉瓦瑞（图源：联合新闻网）
但台当局这一“撒钱大作战”是否奏效，或许我们需要画个问号。此前所罗门群岛的政党领导人曾承诺，在4月3日大选后仍与台北“保持关系”，但不少外媒的报道显示，所罗门群岛以及其他的一些太平洋岛国只是面上“哄哄台湾”，实际上却暗暗布局着各种“断交”动作。巴特利表示，在所罗门群岛国内，与台湾“断交”的声音不绝于耳，一些受过教育的国人此前不断呼吁“让我们重新考虑和台湾的关系，我们是否应该和台湾‘断交’，转向和大陆建交？”
英国《每日电讯报》2月刊文称，太平洋岛国论坛秘书长梅格·泰勒女士本月在瓦努阿图维拉港发表讲话时指出，现在应当讨论如何“集体”与北京“接触”，以获得中国大陆市场准入、技术、融资和基础设施。她说：“探索中国通过我们蓝色太平洋扩大海上丝绸之路的机会，可以为创建地区基础设施和渠道提供机会，从而激发亚洲、太平洋和拉美之间形成新的贸易市场。”
自蔡英文上台以来，台当局与“友邦”“断交”便是常事。圣多美和普林西比、巴拿马等5个国家接连与台湾“断交”，目前台当局所谓的“友邦”仅剩17个。此外，包括海地、斯威士兰、梵蒂冈等台“友邦”也被传出“邦交”不稳的消息。
针对此形势，各界皆认为归根结底还是蔡英文没有搞好两岸关系，更是在“一中”成为世界大趋势之时，硬是反其道而行。就像中国外交部多次强调的那样，一个中国原则是大势所趋、人心所向。越来越多的国家在一个中国原则基础上同中国发展各领域友好合作关系，取得了实实在在的进展。（海外网 罗伊晴）
Sina Military > Chinese Military Intelligence > Text
news
Another "friend" shouted "broken off" Cai English authorities panic: don't don't, I give money
Another "friend" shouted "broken off" Cai English authorities panic: don't don't, I give money
454
Tsai Ing-wen (Source: Taiwan Media)
Overseas Network May 2nd, Taiwan Another "friendship" is unstable. The new Prime Minister of Solomon Islands said in an interview with the media that he is considering whether to "broken off" with the Taiwan authorities. Seeing that there are only a few "friends" left and red lights, Tsai Ing-wen is a little panicked and busy, don't give up, we give money. But does the Taiwan authorities’ operation of “save money to save the 'friends’” really work?
According to the Australian media "Australian" reported on the 1st, Taiwan's "Friends" in the South Pacific Solomon Islands held a general election on the 24th last month, and former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was re-elected. Sujiawari recently said in an interview with the Sorin media that the new government is reconsidering whether to interrupt relations with Taiwan and turn to establish diplomatic relations with the mainland. It is reported that the mainland is the largest trading partner of the Solomon Islands. Sujiawari believes that Solomon Islands can gain huge benefits from this diplomatic transfer. At present, Prime Minister Solomon said that he will discuss the matter with the ruling allies, and the new government will announce the position at the right time.
“Solomon is symbolic in this region, and once it changes its diplomatic relations, it makes a lot of sense,” said former Australian resident Solomon Islands diplomat James Batley. He believes that because Solomon Islands is Taiwan's largest "friendship" in the Asia-Pacific region, once Solomon Islands is invested in the mainland, it will trigger a domino effect.
Looking at himself with only a few "friends" left, Tsai Ing-wen authorities panicked. According to the "Joint News Network" report, on the 2nd, the Taiwanese "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" self-comfort said that Sujiawari's expression was only to consider the opinions of some ruling coalitions. In order to stabilize the "friends", Taiwan's "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" once again adopted the "spending money" strategy. The sports venues of the 2023 Pacific Games hosted by Solomon will be contracted by Taiwanese businessmen, and various cooperation programs such as agriculture, medical and health care, Taiwan scholarships, and clean energy are being implemented.
Tsai Ing-wen and Su Jia Wary (Source: United News)
But whether the Taiwanese authorities’ "smuggling big money" works, maybe we need to draw a question mark. Earlier, Solomon Islands’ political party leaders had promised to “maintain relations with Taipei” after the April 3 election, but many foreign media reports showed that Solomon Islands and other Pacific island countries were only “squatting Taiwan”. In fact, there are various "breaking off" actions. Bartley said that in the Solomon Islands, the voice of "broken off" with Taiwan is endless. Some educated people have repeatedly called for "let us reconsider our relationship with Taiwan. Should we "break off" with Taiwan and turn to establish diplomatic relations with the mainland? ”
The British "Daily Telegraph" published in February that Ms. Meg Taylor, Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, said in a speech this month at Port Vila, Vanuatu, that it is time to discuss how to "collectively" "contact" with Beijing to obtain China. Mainland market access, technology, financing and infrastructure. She said: "Exploring China's opportunity to expand the Maritime Silk Road through our Blue Pacific can provide opportunities to create regional infrastructure and channels, thus creating a new trading market between Asia, the Pacific and Latin America."
Since the inauguration of Tsai Ing-wen, it has been common for the Taiwan authorities to "broken off" with "AIA." Five countries, including Sao Tome and Principe and Panama, have successively "broken off" with Taiwan. At present, there are only 17 "friends" left by the Taiwan authorities. In addition, Taiwan, "Swaziland, Swaziland, Vatican," and other "friends" have also been reported to be "state diplomatic" instability.
In response to this situation, all walks of life believe that at the end of the day, Tsai Ing-wen has not done a good job of cross-strait relations, and even when "one China" has become a major trend in the world, it is hard to do the opposite. As the Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stressed, the one-China principle is the trend of the times and the aspirations of the people. More and more countries have developed friendly and cooperative relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle and have made tangible progress. (Overseas Network Luo Yiqing)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...nds-election&usg=AOvVaw3xE1Uew3tp1BCr1TXTS_tJ
Taiwan’s ties to Pacific allies at stake in Solomon Islands election
2
The Solomon Islands election is expected to be followed by weeks of coalition-building. Photo: Reuters
As politicians hit the hustings across the Solomon Islands two weeks out from a general election in the South Pacific archipelago, the loyalty of one of Taiwan’s few remaining allies is in the balance.
Some Solomons candidates are promising to review lucrative but loosening ties with Taipei that, if broken, could trigger a reshaping of diplomatic relations in a region home to a third of Taiwan’s shrinking list of allies.
Although Pacific island states offer little economically to either China and Taiwan, their support is valued in global forums such as the United Nations and as China seeks to isolate Taiwan. China sees the democratically ruled island as a renegade province with no right to state-to-state ties.
In the Solomons, where two-thirds of exports go to China, many politicians are questioning whether diplomatic ties with Taiwan are still in their best interests.
As China’s influence grows in Pacific, so does local resentment
“Sooner or later, when we see our country hasn’t been able to grow out of this relationship, we are at liberty to review our relations and to explore other avenues,” said former prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who is contesting the April 3 election.
Lilo’s views, echoed in the rival ruling Democratic Alliance Party policy manifesto, and by other candidates, have caught Taipei’s attention.
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Taiwan this month sent its deputy foreign minister to the tropical capital of Honiara to shore up the alliance.
President Tsai Ing-wen is also
touring
the South Pacific this week, visiting other allies Palau, Nauru and the Marshall Islands to “deepen ties and friendly relations”.
Already five countries have switched recognition to Beijing since Tsai took office in 2016, leaving just 17 mostly small, undeveloped countries that formally recognise Taiwan.
Four of the six Pacific island nations aligned with Taiwan have elections this year, putting its Pacific stronghold under increasing pressure.
The elections also come at a time when traditional regional powers from the West and Japan have been boosting their presence in the Pacific due to unease at China’s growing influence there.
Last week, the new US ambassador to Australia said China was using “payday loan diplomacy” to exert influence in the Pacific.
“The West is
watching the outcome
of the election in the Solomon Islands very closely,” said a senior US diplomatic source. “There is no doubt that there are some Solomon Islands lawmakers who would like to align with China.
Vanuatu denies Chinese approach to set up military base
“There is a legitimate worry that it will have a domino effect.”
Acknowledging that Beijing takes the position that there is “one China” and Taiwan is part of it is the “common consensus of international society”, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.
“The Chinese government, under the one-China policy and the principles of peaceful coexistence, develops friendly cooperation with countries across the world,” he said, without elaborating.
Shifting allegiances are nothing new in the South Pacific.
Vanuatu flirted with recognising Taiwan in 2004 but ultimately stuck with Beijing, while Kiribati and Nauru have each switched sides in the past.
The Solomons have recognised Taiwan since 1983.
The chain of islands stretching across some 600,000 sq km (232,000 sq miles) of ocean is a strategic gateway to the South Pacific and was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the second world war.
It is the largest of the Taiwan-aligned Pacific countries, with access to the airfields and deepwater ports the conflict left behind.
The Solomons’ situation is further complicated by an unpredictable coalition-building process after the vote, expected to last weeks before a government is formed.
El Salvador cuts Taiwan links as island loses yet another ally
Taiwan is fighting to retain its ties. “I think China is trying everything they can do to replace us in our diplomatic allies,” Taiwan’s deputy chief of mission to the Solomons, Oliver Liao, told Reuters in a phone interview.
He said Taipei was cautiously optimistic of retaining Honiara’s friendship because it had a long history of rural development donations. “Many friends here continue to share with us how much they appreciate Taiwan’s support and how they appreciate the flexibility this budgetary support allows – politicians and also the citizens.”
Flags of Taiwan’s allies in Taipei’s Diplomatic Quarter, where its ally embassies are located. Five countries have switched recognition to Beijing since 2016. Photo: Reuters
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Its strategy, though, has come under fire. Taiwan’s support of around US$9 million a year is paid directly into a government account which lawmakers tap for projects in their far-flung provinces, with little oversight.
“In the rural areas there is no tangible development,” said Andrew Fanasia, politics reporter at the Solomon Star newspaper.
“Mostly these people blame their leaders and this fund.”
Anti-corruption agency Transparency Solomon Islands says “vote buying” with cash linked to development funds is by far the most common complaint it fields, according to data it collected in 2017 and 2018.
Australia tries to counter China’s influence in Pacific Islands
Lawmakers say there are successes, and the government’s rural development website lists health and sanitation projects, community buildings and text-message testimonies from citizens about improvements to their lives.
But even Taiwan’s Liao, and former prime minister Lilo, say economic progress has not been fast enough.
And in the capital, patience with the incumbents charged with disbursing Taiwan’s largesse is in short supply.
“Most students would really like to see a change in the leadership and style,” said law student Ishmael Aitorea, 25, on the phone from the student association office of the University of the South Pacific in Honiara.
“The perception is that if the old parliament members go back, nothing will change.”
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Solomon Islands looks beyond Taiwan alliance as poll looms
https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2019-05-02/doc-ihvhiqax6248921.shtml
新浪军事 > 中国军情>正文
新闻
又一"友邦"喊"断交" 蔡英文当局慌了：别别别,我给钱
又一"友邦"喊"断交" 蔡英文当局慌了：别别别,我给钱
454
蔡英文（图源：台媒）
海外网5月2日电 台湾又一“友邦”不稳。所罗门群岛新任总理在接受媒体采访时表示，正考虑是否要与台当局“断交”。看到自己仅剩不多的“友邦”又亮红灯，蔡英文当局有点慌，忙表示，别别别，我们给钱。但台当局这个“撒钱救‘友邦’”的操作是否真能奏效？
据澳媒“澳大利亚人”1日报道，台湾在南太平洋的“友邦”索罗门群岛上月24日举行大选，前总理苏嘉瓦瑞（Manasseh Sogavare）再次当选。苏嘉瓦瑞最近在接受索国媒体采访时表示，新政府正重新考虑是否中断与台湾的关系，转向与大陆建交。据悉，大陆是所罗门群岛最大的贸易伙伴，苏嘉瓦瑞认为，所罗门群岛可以从这一外交转给中获得巨大利益。目前，所罗门总理表示自己将和执政盟友商量此事，新政府会在恰当时机公布此事的立场。
“所罗门在此区域具有象征性，一旦改变外交关系就有重大意义，”前澳大利亚驻所罗门群岛外交官巴特利（James Batley）说道。他认为由于所罗门群岛是台湾在亚太地区最大的“友邦”，一旦所罗门群岛投向大陆，恐将引发骨牌效应。
看着自己仅剩不多的“友邦”，蔡英文当局慌了。据“联合新闻网”报道，2日，台当局“外交部”自我安慰称，苏嘉瓦瑞这一表述只是为了考量部分执政联盟的意见。为了稳住“友邦”，台“外交部”再次采取了“撒钱”策略。所罗门主办的2023年太平洋运动会的运动场馆将由台商承揽兴建，而农业、医卫、台湾奖学金、洁净能源等各项合作计划也正在执行。
蔡英文和苏嘉瓦瑞（图源：联合新闻网）
但台当局这一“撒钱大作战”是否奏效，或许我们需要画个问号。此前所罗门群岛的政党领导人曾承诺，在4月3日大选后仍与台北“保持关系”，但不少外媒的报道显示，所罗门群岛以及其他的一些太平洋岛国只是面上“哄哄台湾”，实际上却暗暗布局着各种“断交”动作。巴特利表示，在所罗门群岛国内，与台湾“断交”的声音不绝于耳，一些受过教育的国人此前不断呼吁“让我们重新考虑和台湾的关系，我们是否应该和台湾‘断交’，转向和大陆建交？”
英国《每日电讯报》2月刊文称，太平洋岛国论坛秘书长梅格·泰勒女士本月在瓦努阿图维拉港发表讲话时指出，现在应当讨论如何“集体”与北京“接触”，以获得中国大陆市场准入、技术、融资和基础设施。她说：“探索中国通过我们蓝色太平洋扩大海上丝绸之路的机会，可以为创建地区基础设施和渠道提供机会，从而激发亚洲、太平洋和拉美之间形成新的贸易市场。”
自蔡英文上台以来，台当局与“友邦”“断交”便是常事。圣多美和普林西比、巴拿马等5个国家接连与台湾“断交”，目前台当局所谓的“友邦”仅剩17个。此外，包括海地、斯威士兰、梵蒂冈等台“友邦”也被传出“邦交”不稳的消息。
针对此形势，各界皆认为归根结底还是蔡英文没有搞好两岸关系，更是在“一中”成为世界大趋势之时，硬是反其道而行。就像中国外交部多次强调的那样，一个中国原则是大势所趋、人心所向。越来越多的国家在一个中国原则基础上同中国发展各领域友好合作关系，取得了实实在在的进展。（海外网 罗伊晴）
Sina Military > Chinese Military Intelligence > Text
news
Another "friend" shouted "broken off" Cai English authorities panic: don't don't, I give money
Another "friend" shouted "broken off" Cai English authorities panic: don't don't, I give money
454
Tsai Ing-wen (Source: Taiwan Media)
Overseas Network May 2nd, Taiwan Another "friendship" is unstable. The new Prime Minister of Solomon Islands said in an interview with the media that he is considering whether to "broken off" with the Taiwan authorities. Seeing that there are only a few "friends" left and red lights, Tsai Ing-wen is a little panicked and busy, don't give up, we give money. But does the Taiwan authorities’ operation of “save money to save the 'friends’” really work?
According to the Australian media "Australian" reported on the 1st, Taiwan's "Friends" in the South Pacific Solomon Islands held a general election on the 24th last month, and former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was re-elected. Sujiawari recently said in an interview with the Sorin media that the new government is reconsidering whether to interrupt relations with Taiwan and turn to establish diplomatic relations with the mainland. It is reported that the mainland is the largest trading partner of the Solomon Islands. Sujiawari believes that Solomon Islands can gain huge benefits from this diplomatic transfer. At present, Prime Minister Solomon said that he will discuss the matter with the ruling allies, and the new government will announce the position at the right time.
“Solomon is symbolic in this region, and once it changes its diplomatic relations, it makes a lot of sense,” said former Australian resident Solomon Islands diplomat James Batley. He believes that because Solomon Islands is Taiwan's largest "friendship" in the Asia-Pacific region, once Solomon Islands is invested in the mainland, it will trigger a domino effect.
Looking at himself with only a few "friends" left, Tsai Ing-wen authorities panicked. According to the "Joint News Network" report, on the 2nd, the Taiwanese "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" self-comfort said that Sujiawari's expression was only to consider the opinions of some ruling coalitions. In order to stabilize the "friends", Taiwan's "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" once again adopted the "spending money" strategy. The sports venues of the 2023 Pacific Games hosted by Solomon will be contracted by Taiwanese businessmen, and various cooperation programs such as agriculture, medical and health care, Taiwan scholarships, and clean energy are being implemented.
Tsai Ing-wen and Su Jia Wary (Source: United News)
But whether the Taiwanese authorities’ "smuggling big money" works, maybe we need to draw a question mark. Earlier, Solomon Islands’ political party leaders had promised to “maintain relations with Taipei” after the April 3 election, but many foreign media reports showed that Solomon Islands and other Pacific island countries were only “squatting Taiwan”. In fact, there are various "breaking off" actions. Bartley said that in the Solomon Islands, the voice of "broken off" with Taiwan is endless. Some educated people have repeatedly called for "let us reconsider our relationship with Taiwan. Should we "break off" with Taiwan and turn to establish diplomatic relations with the mainland? ”
The British "Daily Telegraph" published in February that Ms. Meg Taylor, Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, said in a speech this month at Port Vila, Vanuatu, that it is time to discuss how to "collectively" "contact" with Beijing to obtain China. Mainland market access, technology, financing and infrastructure. She said: "Exploring China's opportunity to expand the Maritime Silk Road through our Blue Pacific can provide opportunities to create regional infrastructure and channels, thus creating a new trading market between Asia, the Pacific and Latin America."
Since the inauguration of Tsai Ing-wen, it has been common for the Taiwan authorities to "broken off" with "AIA." Five countries, including Sao Tome and Principe and Panama, have successively "broken off" with Taiwan. At present, there are only 17 "friends" left by the Taiwan authorities. In addition, Taiwan, "Swaziland, Swaziland, Vatican," and other "friends" have also been reported to be "state diplomatic" instability.
In response to this situation, all walks of life believe that at the end of the day, Tsai Ing-wen has not done a good job of cross-strait relations, and even when "one China" has become a major trend in the world, it is hard to do the opposite. As the Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stressed, the one-China principle is the trend of the times and the aspirations of the people. More and more countries have developed friendly and cooperative relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle and have made tangible progress. (Overseas Network Luo Yiqing)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...nds-election&usg=AOvVaw3xE1Uew3tp1BCr1TXTS_tJ
Taiwan’s ties to Pacific allies at stake in Solomon Islands election
- President Tsai Ing-wen touring the region to deepen relations as elections approach in four of the six Pacific island nations aligned with Taipei
- Several Solomons politicians question the benefits of retaining ties
2
The Solomon Islands election is expected to be followed by weeks of coalition-building. Photo: Reuters
As politicians hit the hustings across the Solomon Islands two weeks out from a general election in the South Pacific archipelago, the loyalty of one of Taiwan’s few remaining allies is in the balance.
Some Solomons candidates are promising to review lucrative but loosening ties with Taipei that, if broken, could trigger a reshaping of diplomatic relations in a region home to a third of Taiwan’s shrinking list of allies.
Although Pacific island states offer little economically to either China and Taiwan, their support is valued in global forums such as the United Nations and as China seeks to isolate Taiwan. China sees the democratically ruled island as a renegade province with no right to state-to-state ties.
In the Solomons, where two-thirds of exports go to China, many politicians are questioning whether diplomatic ties with Taiwan are still in their best interests.
As China’s influence grows in Pacific, so does local resentment
“Sooner or later, when we see our country hasn’t been able to grow out of this relationship, we are at liberty to review our relations and to explore other avenues,” said former prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who is contesting the April 3 election.
Lilo’s views, echoed in the rival ruling Democratic Alliance Party policy manifesto, and by other candidates, have caught Taipei’s attention.
SUBSCRIBE TO US China Trade War
Get updates direct to your inbox
By registering for these newsletters you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Taiwan this month sent its deputy foreign minister to the tropical capital of Honiara to shore up the alliance.
President Tsai Ing-wen is also
touring
the South Pacific this week, visiting other allies Palau, Nauru and the Marshall Islands to “deepen ties and friendly relations”.
Already five countries have switched recognition to Beijing since Tsai took office in 2016, leaving just 17 mostly small, undeveloped countries that formally recognise Taiwan.
Four of the six Pacific island nations aligned with Taiwan have elections this year, putting its Pacific stronghold under increasing pressure.
The elections also come at a time when traditional regional powers from the West and Japan have been boosting their presence in the Pacific due to unease at China’s growing influence there.
Last week, the new US ambassador to Australia said China was using “payday loan diplomacy” to exert influence in the Pacific.
“The West is
watching the outcome
of the election in the Solomon Islands very closely,” said a senior US diplomatic source. “There is no doubt that there are some Solomon Islands lawmakers who would like to align with China.
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“There is a legitimate worry that it will have a domino effect.”
Acknowledging that Beijing takes the position that there is “one China” and Taiwan is part of it is the “common consensus of international society”, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.
“The Chinese government, under the one-China policy and the principles of peaceful coexistence, develops friendly cooperation with countries across the world,” he said, without elaborating.
Shifting allegiances are nothing new in the South Pacific.
Vanuatu flirted with recognising Taiwan in 2004 but ultimately stuck with Beijing, while Kiribati and Nauru have each switched sides in the past.
The Solomons have recognised Taiwan since 1983.
The chain of islands stretching across some 600,000 sq km (232,000 sq miles) of ocean is a strategic gateway to the South Pacific and was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the second world war.
It is the largest of the Taiwan-aligned Pacific countries, with access to the airfields and deepwater ports the conflict left behind.
The Solomons’ situation is further complicated by an unpredictable coalition-building process after the vote, expected to last weeks before a government is formed.
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Taiwan is fighting to retain its ties. “I think China is trying everything they can do to replace us in our diplomatic allies,” Taiwan’s deputy chief of mission to the Solomons, Oliver Liao, told Reuters in a phone interview.
He said Taipei was cautiously optimistic of retaining Honiara’s friendship because it had a long history of rural development donations. “Many friends here continue to share with us how much they appreciate Taiwan’s support and how they appreciate the flexibility this budgetary support allows – politicians and also the citizens.”
Flags of Taiwan’s allies in Taipei’s Diplomatic Quarter, where its ally embassies are located. Five countries have switched recognition to Beijing since 2016. Photo: Reuters
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Its strategy, though, has come under fire. Taiwan’s support of around US$9 million a year is paid directly into a government account which lawmakers tap for projects in their far-flung provinces, with little oversight.
“In the rural areas there is no tangible development,” said Andrew Fanasia, politics reporter at the Solomon Star newspaper.
“Mostly these people blame their leaders and this fund.”
Anti-corruption agency Transparency Solomon Islands says “vote buying” with cash linked to development funds is by far the most common complaint it fields, according to data it collected in 2017 and 2018.
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Lawmakers say there are successes, and the government’s rural development website lists health and sanitation projects, community buildings and text-message testimonies from citizens about improvements to their lives.
But even Taiwan’s Liao, and former prime minister Lilo, say economic progress has not been fast enough.
And in the capital, patience with the incumbents charged with disbursing Taiwan’s largesse is in short supply.
“Most students would really like to see a change in the leadership and style,” said law student Ishmael Aitorea, 25, on the phone from the student association office of the University of the South Pacific in Honiara.
“The perception is that if the old parliament members go back, nothing will change.”
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Solomon Islands looks beyond Taiwan alliance as poll looms
