Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands' Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele sign a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

Beijing (People's Daily) -- On September 21, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands held talks and signed a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Solomon Islands in Beijing.

Wang noted that the communique made it clear that the Solomon Islands recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of the People's Republic of China appreciates this position of the government of Solomon Islands. The two sides have decided to recognize each other and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level effective from the date of signature of this communique.

Wang pointed out that this is an important historical moment, as we jointly open the door to our diplomatic ties and start a journey of common development. This moment will surely be written into the annals of history.

Wang noted that the Solomon Islands is an important country in the Pacific Island region. The people of China and Solomon Islands enjoy long-term exchanges and profound friendship. Cooperation in various fields between the two countries has developed rapidly with highly intertwined interests. China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the second largest economy in the world and has become the biggest trading partner for the Solomon Islands. The absence of diplomatic relations between our two countries is simply unreasonable and unsustainable.

Wang said that the Solomon Islands’ strategic decision to establish diplomatic relations was made by a Caucus meeting, approved by the cabinet and supported by its people. It is totally above-board and comes at the right time. History will surely prove that this is a right political decision as it is fully in the fundamental interests of Solomon Islands and its people and in keeping with the trend of the times and people’s aspirations.

Wang pointed out that in a few days, we will be marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The past seven decades have witnessed a sea change in China, with tremendous progress in socioeconomic development. As we mark this important occasion, China and the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations. The timing brings a special significance and promises bright prospects in bilateral relations.

Wang stressed that equality and respect is the foundation for state-to-state relations. China believes that all countries, big or small, are equal and it stands against hegemony and power politics. China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Solomon Islands and supports its government and people in following a development path that suits their own national conditions. It will never impose its will on the Solomon Islands in bilateral relations, nor will it seek unilateral interests in cooperation. The cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands will be equal, open, mutually-beneficial and inclusive. The establishment of diplomatic ties between the two sides will open up broad prospects for our cooperation and inject strong impetus into regional peace and development. China welcomes the Solomon Islands to the big family of China-Pacific Island cooperation. Let’s join hands to promote shared development and work together for the collective revitalization of developing countries.

Wang said that the one-China principle is enshrined in the UNGA resolution and recognized by the international community. So far, 179 countries have established diplomatic relations with China. The government of Kiribati announced in a statement Friday its decision to sever so-called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan and resume diplomatic relations with China. We welcome that.

China must and will eventually realize national reunification. The Taiwan region was, is and will continue to be an inalienable part of China’s territory, both de facto and de jure. This status will not and cannot be changed. Now, there are only a handful of countries who have not yet established diplomatic relations with China. We believe more and more visionary people in these countries will speak up for justice in keeping with the overriding trend of the times.

Manele said that the Solomon Islands, bearing in mind its long-term national interests, made the political decision to sever the so-called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan and establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. This decision is in keeping with international law and UNGA resolution. It is in the interest of the people of the Solomon Islands. It will surely write a new chapter of history in bilateral relations. The Solomon Islands recognize the PRC government as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, to which Taiwan is an inalienable part. It is committed to the one-China principle and respects China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Manele extended congratulations from the Solomon Islands’ government and people on the 70th anniversary of the PRC’s founding and expressed their admiration for the enormous achievements China has made in the past seven decades. The Solomon Islands attaches great significance to China’s international standing and commends China’s critical role in safeguarding developing countries’ shared interests at the UN, the Group of 77 and China and other multilateral institutions. The Solomon Islands and China share similar positions and objectives in upholding multilateralism, achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, addressing climate change, etc.

The Solomon Islands stands ready to enhance cooperation with China in these areas. It also looks forward to joining the great Belt and Road Initiative at an early date and actively cooperating with China in areas like trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, mineral resources, healthcare to boost its socioeconomic development, bring benefits to both peoples and open up a new chapter for Solomon Islands-China relations.