22 Mar 2019

Taiwan ties with Solomon Islands solid - official

4:21 pm on 22 March 2019

A senior Taiwan official says the country's ties with Solomon Islands are solid, despite a potential review of them by Honiara after April elections.

Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, 2017.

Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, 2017. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister, Hsu Szu-chien, met this month with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Rick Hou, who recently committed to review diplomatic relations with Taiwan if elected.

Focus Taiwan reports Mr Hsu telling lawmakers on Thursday that Mr Hou said the government would "review, rather than switch" its diplomatic relations.

Mr Hsu said there had been a lot of rumours spread about the potential for a change in policy.

The two governments also recently signed an agreement for around $US29 million in strategic loans for a stadium in Solomon Islands for the 2023 Pacific Games.