Solomon Islands opens China embassy in sign of ties

BLOOMBERG

The Solomon Islands became the latest Pacific island nation to open an embassy in China and upgrade ties with Beijing as Washington also seeks to bolster its presence in the region.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is on a week-long visit to China and met with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
“I am here also to officially open the Solomon Islands embassy,” Sogavare told Li at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. “This, of course, reaffirms our desire to keep investing and strengthening Solomon Islands-China relations.” The two sides also agreed to upgrade relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
Xi told the visiting leader later in the day that China and the Solomon Islands are both developing countries and should “strengthen mutual assistance within the framework of South-South cooperation,” according to Xinhua News Agency.
The two sides also signed agreements, including items on cooperation in civil air transport, rural development and trade promotion.
The Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in September 2019.