Transcript
Since embarking on their Pacific tour in June, the Solomon Islands taskforce investigating a possible diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China has said very little.
But back in Honiara, lawmakers have been busy lobbying.
Sixteen MPs released a joint statement last week declaring Taiwan a genuine friend of Solomon Islands who had their firm backing.
Their spokesperson, Minister for National Planning and Aid Coordination, Rick Hou, says a decision is unlikely to happen this year.
"The decision to either go to China, we have not come to a decision to switch sides. That is far, far, far away still."
Still, Tuesday's statement shows the issue is still a contentious one for Solomon Islands, one of Taiwan's dwindling allies.
Taipei has in recent months stepped up diplomatic visits to the region to reassert itself.
Speaking to reporters in Palau on Thursday, the Taiwanese Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, appeared confident of his country's ties to Solomon Islands.
He says he had a friendly chat with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum earlier this month.
"There's a debate in the Solomon Islands of some people think China has so much to offer. Whether this real or fair or just empty promises, or it's a trap. Some people believe that. So I think the prime minister is trying to allow that debate to go on for a while and then come to a decision."
Dr Wu also lashed out at China, saying its growing influence in the Pacific is often built on false promises.
"Very often the Chinese will say that they can come with a huge amount of investment, they can come with lot of business opportunities, and people are going to get wealthy or things like that. But if we look into concrete cases, very often, you know, we fall into a serious trap."
Dr Wu says Taiwan is providing Solomon Islands with key agriculture support.
A visa waiver program between the two countries was also signed into force on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Rick Hou, keen to downplay the likelihood of a diplomatic switch, says Taiwan is just one of several allies being reviewed.
The former prime minister says Solomon Islands' foreign missions could be downsized or relocated as a result.
"We need to look at what we are going to be doing or should be doing, look at where we have high commissions or representation in some of the countries. Are we benefiting for those from those representations?"
Still, in what Mr Hou says was an unusual move, government ministers accompanied the Taiwan taskforce during a recent trip to Beijing.
In July, Chinese officials reportedly warned a visiting Solomon Islands delegation the window of opportunity for a switch was closing fast.
This is Mackenzie Smith.
