The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, says Taiwan remains an important partner although his government is reviewing its global posture.
Taiwan Ambassador to Solomon Islands H.E Roger Luo, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, and Commander Rear-Admiral Wang Cheng-chung up for the toast. Photo: Solomon Islands Government
The Solomons is one of Taiwan's few remaining allies, a relationship the Pacific country's previous government signalled it would review after the recent national election.
Mr Sogavare was hosted onboard a visiting Taiwanese naval vessel last week, following a meeting with Taiwan's Ambassador, Roger Luo.
The prime minister said there were new areas in the Solomons in which Taiwan was keen to invest, including agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy.
But his government was conscious of evolving geo-political dynamics and the emerging needs of the country, Mr Sogavare said.
"Our economy is not keeping pace with our development agenda. Our resources are declining and our population is rapidly increasing," he said.
"We also face the challenge of climate change and its negative impact on our livelihood, human security and development.
"More transformative and durable partnerships are needed to build a resilient population and guarantee the unity and stability of the country.
"New forms of political relations, enhanced, durable and transformative partnership are now needed more than ever," he added.
Meanwhile, the Island Sun newspaper reported a group of backbench MPs had put pressure on a Taiwanese envoy to increase their constituency funding or face losing the Solomons to China.