President Tsai Ing-wen (second left) and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (third left) share a lighter moment Nov. 2 during her visit to the ROC Pacific diplomatic ally. (Courtesy of Office of the President)

President Tsai Ing-wen said Nov. 2 that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Solomon Islands enjoy a firm, longstanding friendship and she looks forward to the two nations expanding bilateral relations going forward.
 
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1983, the ROC and Solomon Islands have enjoyed 34 years of robust exchanges, Tsai said. This is reflected by regular visits of high-ranking government officials, a port call by the ROC navy’s Dunmu Fleet, cooperation in areas like agriculture, health care and sustainable development, and a shared Austronesian culture, she added.
 
The president made the remarks while addressing the Solomon Islands parliament during the final leg of her eight-day official trip to three ROC diplomatic allies in the Pacific. She arrived in the country the day before having visited Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands Nov. 1 and Oct. 31, respectively.
 
According to Tsai, Taiwan is ready and willing to work with the Solomon Islands and other members of the Pacific community to raise the quality of life in the region and reach the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
 
The memorandum of understanding on meteorology cooperation signed by the ROC and Solomon Islands underscores the government’s commitment in this regard, she said, adding that it will enhance technical collaboration, identify links between climate change and dengue fever, and help the Solomon Islands better combat the infectious tropical disease.
 
Higher education is another area where the two countries can work together, the president said. Beginning next year, the government will make available an additional 18 scholarships for youths from the ROC’s six Pacific diplomatic allies, as well as sponsor another cooperative program in association with Pacific Islands Forum.
 
Fiji-headquartered PIF is an intergovernmental grouping of 18 nations, including ROC Pacific diplomatic allies Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Its goals include boosting economic growth and enhancing political governance and security for the region.
 
Tsai said green energy is also at the top of the list for ROC-Solomon Islands collaboration. Developing renewable energy generation and storage facilities so as to create a more stable and sustainable electricity system will be achieved under a mechanism established by Taipei City-based International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF) and Official Development Assistance, she added.
 
Earlier the same day, the president met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and witnessed the signing of an agreement on police collaboration by Minister of Foreign Affairs David Tawei Lee and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Milner Tozaka.
 
Other highlights of Tsai’s visit include inspecting several bilateral cooperation projects such as Taiwan Health Center and a dengue fever research laboratory, as well as attending a state banquet in her honor and hosting a dinner function to thank the government and people of the Solomon Islands for the hospitality shown during her visit.
 
According to the Office of the President, Tsai will stop over in the U.S. territory of Guam before returning Nov. 4 to Taiwan. (SFC-E)