Solomon Islands offered more aidBy ASSOCIATED PRESShome/News/World/Solomon Islands offered more aidCANBERRA, Australia: Australia’s prime minister said on Monday his nation would boost spending on infrastructure in the Solomon Islands, but noted the increased aid commitment was not linked to the South Pacific nation’s diplomatic allegiance to Taiwan. The Solomons’ diplomatic recognition of Taiwan was an issue in the country’s April elections that brought Sogavare to power. His predecessor, Prime Minister Rick Hou, had promised to consider switching recognition to China, the Solomons’ biggest export market, if we were reelected. The US government has urged Pacific nations not to bow to Chinese pressure by withdrawing recognition of Taiwan. Days after Morrison’s conservative government’s surprise election victory, US Acting Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia W. Patrick Murphy visited Australia and urged Pacific island nations not to withdraw diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.

Source: Manila Times June 03, 2019 16:30 UTC