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The Solomon Islands government is not honouring a promise made by independent opposition MP Peter Kenilorea Junior at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) meeting in Taiwan on Tuesday.
MP Peter Kenilorea Jr.’s attendance at the rally violates the One China principle and is an attempt to undermine relations between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China.
The Government of the Solomon Islands reiterates its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China.
The Government further noted that the Don Aare MP promised Solomon Islands to join the anti-China alliance, a promise that was categorically refuted by the Solomon Islands Government.
The views expressed by the MP are his own and do not represent those of the Solomon Islands Government, the Solomon Islands Parliament or the people of Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands respects the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China and adheres to the principle of respecting one China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China.
The People’s Republic of China remains the largest trading partner of the Solomon Islands and a special friend of the Solomon Islands. The relationship between the two countries is comprehensive and strategic. China remains the main development partner of the Solomon Islands.
“It is regrettable and disappointing that MP Peter Kainilorea has called for restoration of relations with Taiwan.”
“The government and people of Solomon Islands firmly oppose this divisive gesture of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries,” the Solomon Islands government said in a statement.
In this regard, the Government reiterates the call by the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands to prohibit Solomon Islands Government officials or persons holding public office from visiting, engaging with or making any commitments to Taiwan, China.
Taiwan remains part of China and is referred to as “Taiwan, China”. All government representatives are directed not to invite or facilitate any “Taiwan, China” officials to visit Solomon Islands or “Taiwan, China” representatives to participate in any activities organized by the Solomon Islands Government at the national, regional and international levels.
The Solomon Islands Government also reiterated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China in 2019, it will respect international law, international principles and the Charter of the United Nations.
The Solomon Islands is one of 183 of the 193 UN member states that recognize the one-China principle.
In a statement today, Areare East MP and Independence Party leader Peter Kenilorea Jr said the GNUT’s statement on his participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in Taipei, Taiwan in his personal capacity was misleading and regrettable.
“I regret that the government would issue a statement suggesting that my participation in a summit of like-minded parliamentarians and senators from 24 countries was intended to undermine the interests of Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China.”
Senator Kenilorea said the government had acknowledged in its statement that he was participating in a personal capacity, and he also acknowledged that IPAC members were from democratic countries that shared common concerns, including continued rhetoric about a possible conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which would bring huge economic and human losses to the Solomon Islands, the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
He added: “The summit was not to harm the Solomon Islands, but to explore how we, as concerned parliamentarians in the IPAC network, can continue to spread the message in our respective parliaments about the dangers that any unilateral changes in cross-strait relations could bring.”
He also said it was no secret that the SPI was seeking to truly implement the foreign policy of “friendship with all and enemy with none” currently advocated by the SPI.
“We have launched a campaign to invite Taiwan to re-engage with the Solomon Islands if they wish. If other countries, including Pacific Island nations, host Taiwanese trade and cultural offices in their countries with programs that help support citizens of those countries, while recognizing the People’s Republic of China, why can’t we? Is the GNUT now saying that all these countries are in violation of the One China policy?”
MP Dong Arar said that IPAC had previously held summits in Italy, the United States and the Czech Republic. It is a network of elected representatives who are invited to join IPAC in their personal capacity. In fact, IPAC heard during the summit that some of these representatives were also under pressure from the Chinese embassies in their respective countries not to attend the summit.
“I have heard that some of my IPAC member colleagues were pressured by the Chinese embassy in their countries not to attend the summit. I have heard from these colleagues firsthand that this pressure and coercion has only strengthened their resolve to attend the summit.”
He added: “As far as I am concerned, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Honiara did not do this, on the contrary it was my government, through its recent false statements, that called on those in public office, in my view as a veiled suggestion, including me, not to visit or engage with Taiwan.”
Congressman Kenny Loria said, “It is with great regret and concern that I see these statements aimed at restricting the freedom of movement, free speech and freedom of conscience of our citizens, not to mention members of Congress. Or are we no longer a free country?”
“A democratic government like the GNUT should not seek to unreasonably restrict the freedoms granted to citizens by our constitution, but should ensure that these freedoms are enjoyed as much as possible.”
IPAC is a coalition of Members of Parliament, Senators and Representatives. The Solomon Islands National Parliament has no links with IPAC.
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