By EDDIE OSIFELO
THE Peoples Republic of China remains “diplomatic” despite United States of America’s intention to upgrade its consular to an Embassy in Honiara.
United States Secretary of state Antony Blinken has reconfirmed their intention following a state visit to Fiji this week.
Initially, USA has closed its Honiara’s Embassy in 1993, leaving a consular to look after her affairs in the region.
It has relocated its Embassy to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to look after Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Some media said that its purpose is to “increase U.S. influence in the South Pacific nation before China becomes strongly embedded”.
However, a spokesperson for the Embassy of PRC in Solomon Islands said the relationship between China and Solomon Islands has achieved fruitful results in the past years, and brought tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.
“It serves the common interests of all countries in the region. China-Solomon Islands relations is based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, not directed against any third party.
“China is committed to a community with a shared future for mankind, and the Pacific Island countries advocate principles of “friends to all, enemy to none,” PRC spokesperson said.
“We hope all parties concerned could uphold the same spirit, abandon the cold war and zero-sum mentality, take more practical actions and contribute to the social stability and sustainable development of the Pacific island countries.”
Solomon Islands has switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to PRC in 2019.
