China, Solomon Islands sign deals under new diplomatic ties
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang
SolomonIslandsPrime Minister Manasseh Sogavare met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Wednesday andsigned several agreements in the first official visit since the two countries establisheddiplomaticrelations last month.
Thenewdiplomaticrelationship is asignofChina's growing influence in the Pacific and a setback for self-ruled, democratic Taiwan. TheSolomonIslandsseveredtieswith Taiwan when it established them with Beijing.
"I am pleased to recognize the one-Chinapolicy ... We are pleased to be on the right side of history and normalise relations with the People's Republic ofChina," Sogavare said ahead of a meeting with Li and a Chinese delegation.
Chinahas in recent years been expanding its influence in the Pacific to the alarm of the United States and its main regional ally, Australia.
Chinaand theSolomonIslandssigned an agreement to work together on President Xi Jinping's flagship foreign policy initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as well as others on economic and education strategies.
After theSolomonIslandsrecognised Beijing, USVice President Mike Pence declined a request from theSolomonIslandsleader to meet to discuss cooperation.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing Wen said last month the end of itsdiplomaticrelations with theSolomonIslandswas further evidence of Chinese efforts to meddle in Taiwan's January elections.