The prime minister of Solomon Islands says China's human rights record is a major factor in his country's continued commitment to Taiwan.
Manasseh Sogavare's comments come amid rumours of a government split over whether to maintain its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan or to shift towards China.
The National party of of former prime minister, Francis Billy Hilly, reportedly does want to switch to mainland China threatening to create a rift within the government.
Mr Sogavare says he hopes this does not create a rift within the government but says that they have stand firm to their beliefs.
"There are also serious human right issues that the United Nations stands for like human rights, democracy and freedom. These are issues that we feel are more serious than the country's narrow, economic interest. So I think we need to strike an appropriate balance between economic interest and interests of important principles of human rights, democracy and freedom."
The prime minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare
