Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare moved a motion in Parliament on Tuesday to allow Members of the House to congratulate the new President and Vice-President of the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan, Her Excellency Dr Ing-Wen Tsai and His Excellency Dr Chien-Jen Chen for their election victory and inauguration.
In moving the motion, the Prime Minister said the outcome of parliamentary elections in January of this year saw the first ever female president in the political history of Taiwan and she and her vice are both members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan.
He said the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) as the executive arm of the Solomon Islands Government had already congratulated President Dr Tsai and Vice- President Dr Chen on their election victory.
As such, Prime Minister Sogavare said it is only prudent that the Solomon Islands Parliament representing the people of Solomon Islands be given the opportunity to also convey its well wishes to the new Taiwanese President and Vice-President.
He said Solomon Islands and Taiwan enjoy 33 years of diplomatic relationship and this diplomatic relationship continues to grow from strength to strength.
Moreover, the Prime Minister said Solomon Islands and Taiwan share the values and principles of democracy, respect for the rule of law, human rights and dignity of all peoples.
“These core values and principles are the building-block of our diplomatic relations which withstood the test of time for our two countries.
“Undeniably, Taiwan has been a friend of Solomon Islands in both happy and not so sunny days for Solomon Islands. For our part, Solomon Islands will continue to raise the important roles Taiwan plays in the international arena.
“Solomon Islands believes that to deny the voices of over 23 million people in Taiwan the right to participate in the international forums offends the founding principles of the United Nations Charter. Solomon Islands will therefore continue to seek Taiwan’s recognition and full participation in international forums.
“Therefore, Mr Speaker Sir, given the 33 years of cordial relations between Solomon Islands and the Republic of China and ensuring the core values that shape our two countries since the establishment of our relations, I seek this Honourable House’s approval for this motion and I beg to move this motion,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.
The Parliamentary congratulatory messages to the new Taiwanese President and Vice-President will be conveyed to Taipei by the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ajilon Jasper Nasiu through the Taiwanese Embassy in Honiara.
– PM Press Secretariat
