Statement by PRC Embassy Spokesperson

1. THERE is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government that represents the whole of China.

The UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognizes the above basic facts and universal consensus of the world at large, has provided a solid legal foundation for the international community to handle Taiwan-related issues in accordance with the one-China principle.

The Taiwan question involves China’s core interests, the People’s Republic of China has no room for compromise in this regard. The one-China principle is political basis for PRC to establish and develop diplomatic relations with any other country in the world. On the basis of the one-China principle, PRC and Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations on September 21, 2019.

2. It is noted with deep concern that leaders of the Malaita provincial government have recently made irresponsible remarks and actions against the one-China policy adopted by the Solomon Islands national government.

The provincial leaders brought undue attention to the Taiwan question by alluding to Taiwan as the so-called “Republic of China” and displaying the so-called “national flag” of Taiwan in public. All these words and acts ran counter to the one-China policy committed to by the Solomon Islands government and international community.

The claims and actions by the Malaita provincial leaders are illegitimate, inappropriate and entirely wrong. It breaches the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and hurts the national feelings of the Chinese people.

3. Last September in Beijing, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands signed the Joint Communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Solomon Islands on the basis of the one-China principle.

Last October, Hon. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, while paying his first official visit to PRC, reiterated that the Solomon Islands government would firmly adhere to the one-China principle. China highly commends commitments made by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands on following the one-China policy. On 10 June 2020, Hon. Minister Manele made a solemn statement, making it clear that Taiwan is an integral part of the People’s Republic of China’s territory, refuting Premier Suidani’s provocative words when the Premier purportedly made wrong reference to Taiwan region as a state rather than an integral part of the People’s Republic of China. It is well noted and highly appreciated that Hon. Minister Manele, on behalf of the Solomon Islands government, has resolutely reaffirmed Solomon Island’s one-China policy in public.

One-China principle should be honored in a strict manner by Solomon Islands national as well as provincial governments. It is urged that the Solomon Islands side concerned strictly abide by the one-China principle, respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stop making irresponsible remarks or actions against the one-China principle, refrain from official contacts in any form with Taiwan, properly handle Taiwan-related issues and avoid causing disturbances to the relationship between the People’s Republic of China and Solomon Islands.