TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is still willing to cooperate with the Solomon Islands despite severed diplomatic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Tuesday (May 7). 

Speaking at a press conference, MOFA Director-General of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Peter Sha-li Lan (藍夏禮) said Taiwan congratulates the Solomon Islands for holding successful elections and does not rule out any opportunities for cooperation. Jeremiah Manele was nominated prime minister in late April after a general election and an ensuing round of parliamentary negotiations to form a coalition government. Manele is expected to maintain relations with China.

Lan said Taiwan’s exchanges with Pacific nations are consistent. It aims to uphold universal values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and free trade, Lan said.

The Solomon Islands broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2019 and established relations with China under former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Sogavare inked a security agreement with China in 2023, causing concern from the U.S. and other South Pacific countries.