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Solomon Islands Says 'Business as Usual' with Taiwan as it Mulls Diplomatic
Switch to China

Reuters

   TAIPEI - Solomon Islands said Monday that its diplomatic ties with
   Taiwan were stable, giving the assurance even as China woos the Pacific
   nation with a development fund if it switches alliance from Taipei to
   Beijing.

   Solomons Deputy Foreign Minister Collin Beck told reporters in Taipei
   that his government, which has formed a task force to study the pros
   and cons of a switch to Beijing, will make a decision after examining
   its relations with all countries.

   "It's business as usual for us until a decision is taken," Beck told a
   joint press conference with Taiwan's foreign ministry. He declined to
   elaborate on the timetable for the review.

   A senior Solomons lawmaker said last week the government intends to
   sever diplomatic ties with Taipei and align with Beijing, which is
   offering $8.5 million in development funds to replace support from
   Taiwan.

   That is part of a global push by China to peel away the allies of what
   it considers a wayward province with no right to state-to-state ties.
   Only 17 countries now recognize self-ruled Taiwan.

   China and Taiwan have fought a tug-of-war for diplomatic recognition in
   the South Pacific for decades, with some island nations switching
   allegiances for financial gain.

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