By RNZ Pacific
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is coming under increasing pressure from his own MPs to switch the country’s political allegiance from Taiwan to China, report local news media.
Solomon Islands is one of 17 nations that give diplomatic recognition to Taiwan, which provides Solomon Islands with many millions of dollars in aid every year.
Going into last month’s national election in Solomon Islands there was speculation that a diplomatic switch to back China was imminent.
READ MORE: Manasseh Sogavare elected Solomon Islands PM for fourth time
Since being elected Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has said Taiwan remains an important partner although his government is reviewing its global posture.
The Solomon Star reported at the weekend that MPs within the government from Malaita and Guadalcanal are giving the prime minister six months to make the switch, or he would face a motion of no confidence.
The newspaper reported the two provinces MPs had been promised significant help from China to develop infrastructure.
Currently Taiwan’s aid is largely cash and individual MPs have significant discretion over how this is spent.
This article is published under the Pacific Media Centre’s content partnership with Radio New Zealand.
