During a week-long visit to China, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare opened a new embassy in Beijing, solidifying ties with China. The move comes as Washington aims to bolster its presence in the region.
President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang met with Sogavare and agreed to elevate their relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Both countries, being developing nations, pledged to enhance mutual assistance through South-South cooperation.
Additionally, they signed agreements covering civil air transport, rural development, and trade promotion. It’s worth noting that the Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in September 2019.