The Solomon Islands switched recognition to Beijing – but its largest province still favours Taiwan
- The September switch is not all rosy, with pro-Taipei sentiment lingering throughout the country, particularly in Malaita
- The US is interested in funding infrastructure in the province, complicating existing political divisions in the Pacific nation
The decision in September marked the loss of the most populous of Taipei’s few remaining allies in the Pacific, drawing praise from Beijing and a sharp rebuke from Washington.
Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani suggested the dozen or so former combatants – who took part in the ethnic violence that convulsed the archipelago from 1998-2003, prompting the intervention of Australian troops and police – had likely been sent on behalf of the Solomon Islands national government to intimidate the province into supporting the switch.
Months after hailing the switch as being “on the right side of history”, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has struggled to overcome deep-rooted mistrust of Beijing in Malaita – which has a history of separatist sentiment, and which Washington has targeted for renewed engagement despite failing to convince Honiara to stick with Taipei.