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
Taiwan has rejected claims by a Solomon Islands MP who said he was offered a bribe to support Taipei ahead of the country's switch to Beijing in September.
Titus Fika the MP for West Kwaio, earlier told the Guardian newspaper that he had been offered more than $US242,000 by Taiwan if he advocated for Honiara to remain with Taipei.
The MP, who presided over a government taskforce that recommended the diplomatic switch to China, also denied being bribed by China to support the change.
A spokesperson for the Taiwan's ministry of foreign affairs Joanne Ou told the Guardian, "Under no circumstances would Taiwan resort to an ugly dollar diplomacy bidding war with China.
The Solomon Islands opposition is reportedly calling for an investigation into allegations that Beijing paid Solomon Islands leaders to make the switch, allegations that have been denied by the prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.