Transcript
The meeting between Mr Agovaka's delegation and China's vice foreign minister Zhang Hanhui in Beijing was shrouded in controversy with Solomon Islands currently holding diplomatic ties with Taiwan, who China regards as a renegade province.
Yet it points to the seriousness with which Honiara is considering a switch.
This was reflected in Mr Agovaka's opening remarks before the Foreign Relations Committee which is made up of both government and opposition MPs.
“After 41 years of Independence the government has decided to move on. We cannot sit for the next forty years with our friends Taiwan. It is time that we make new friends."
But saying something and doing it are two entirely different things. Solomon Islands' 36-year relationship with Taiwan has had a significant impact on people.
Including Mr Agovaka himself.
“For me I have been supporting Taiwan. They have been very good friends of mine. I have got two daughters who have gone to Taiwan and they have graduated. So, they are our friends."
But personal feelings aside Peter Shanel Agovaka told the committee China has just become too powerful for Solomon Islands to continue ignore.
“As a country we cannot change the world, as a country we cannot change much, and because of our smallness we really need to be relevant to survive."
Mr Agovaka told the committee that the government's main interest is being part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
“It embraces the multi-polar world, economic globalisation, cultural diversity and the greater ITC, IT applications. All of this is designed to uphold the global free-trade and open up the world economy in the spirit of fair and regional cooperation. That is our attraction to that. To China."
The chairperson of the taskforce, Opposition MP Peter Kenilorea Junior, who served as the permanent secretary for foreign affairs before entering politics, noted the significance placed on economic development but questioned whether other factors were being considered.
“But in terms of the other principles that perhaps we can't really see but we try to aspire towards democracy, rule of law respect for human rights. In terms of your own assessments do you put weight at all in any of these, in terms of your analysis on the situation that we are in and a possible shift from Taipei to Beijing."
In response Mr Agovaka acknowledged there were some areas where Honiara and Beijing were not on the same page.
“IIf we are to make friends with China. This is a hard discussion that we need to discuss with them. We have to sit with China, face to face, one on one eyeball to eyeball and say look Taiwan wants to move on and the human rights and suppressions that you continue to suppress Taiwan cannot be tolerated by members of the United Nations who adhere to the human rights.”
Another MP and committee member, Rex Ramofafia, asked Mr Agovaka how soon he thought a switch should be made.
“Is it something that should be done soon or done now or looking at Solomon Islands as a nation [are] there things that we need to look at before we switch ties or [are] we at the right time to switch ties?”
Mr Agovaka said looking at some of the other countries, like Panama, who switched relations from Taiwan to China quickly, he felt Solomon Islanders should be made more aware of the government's intentions.
“So, in answering your question of timing I think we should give the opportunity to people to be able to respond back to the question of severing ties with Taiwan as well as making [a] diplomatic relationship with China.”
A number of people, from the public and private sector as well as churches and NGO's were interviewed by parliament's foreign relations committee.
Once completed a report on the committee's findings and recommendations will be submitted to parliament.
Meanwhile a separate report from a bi-partisan taskforce looking into how other countries in the region have been managing their relationships with China, is expected to be handed to cabinet this week.
