Radio Taiwan International
Date: 09 September, 20196
By: Natalie Tso
President Tsai Ing-wen (right) met with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele (right) on Monday (CNA photo)
President Tsai Ing-wen met with visiting Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele at the Presidential Office on Monday. The visit comes after a Reuters report last week said that Solomons ministers recently visited Beijing and the new administration under Manasseh Sogavare may switch diplomatic ties to Beijing. Taiwan's foreign ministry has been saying that bilateral ties are normal.
On Monday, Tsai said the two sides have had diplomatic ties for 36 years. The Solomon Islands has always been a good friend of Taiwan and supported Taiwan in the UN and other international organizations. In August, Solomon Islands Speaker of Parliament Patteson Oti led a delegation to Taiwan to participate in the annual Asia-Pacific Congress. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu also attended a Pacific Islands Forum where he signed a visa-free agreement with the Solomon Islands.
President Tsai also highlighted the case of Solomon Islands Dr. Paul Bosawai Popora whose story was featured in a World Health Assembly film. [FULL STORY]