The premier of Solomon Islands' largest province says he hopes unrest over a diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China can be prevented.
Daniel Suidani says the people of Malaita are worried after Honiara was ditched by its 36-year partner and is now moving to open up ties with Beijing.
He says the provincial government will be surveying public appetite for a possible independence vote so Malaita can maintain ties with Taiwan.
But Mr Suidani says he hopes the central government can instead promote development in his province to ease tensions.
A village on the beach near Auki, the capital of Malaita.
Photo: Supplied
Transcript
Daniel Suidani: The national government is giving its decision now to switch to mainland China, and we can't do anything. But our concern here is because we are the only province holding the majority -- the population of Malaita -- of Solomon Island brother. So we are so worried about what might happen if they pursue the idea and they believe in democracy. But I remain to keep the people, to control them, to wait and see, what's the latest development that can be happen if all Malaitans and others who believe in democracy will continue to push for the rights to remain with Taiwan.
Mackenzie Smith: This resolution that's been circulating, it's calling for the granting of independence to Malaita province. And you're saying there that, if it were to be independent, it could then recognize Taiwan and stay with Taiwan?
DS: At the moment, that idea of independence for Malaita is yet to be considered because it has to be something that the whole of Malaita must agree upon. The members, the executive will make sure, will go around and talk to the people in the rural places and everywhere in Malaita province, in these five regions. And we will see there what their view, because we have been with the Taiwan government as our traditional friend. But still, during that time, even Taiwan help us a lot, which seems to, the government sometimes - not sometimes, every time - they promised us with major development that doesn't happen. So the people is now starting to get worried, will this switch to mainland China, it's already happened. But then if there is any changes that the national government can do, to Malaita people like an implement some, some major project, because we are worried so much about ... we heard rumors and maybe confirmation that the Chinese government when they give funding to countries it becomes a loan. So that makes the people of Malaita very frightened about part of that whole thing. But with Taiwan, for the last 20 to 30 years, they help us in giving us money for development through grants. So that is why these people here have seen the help Taiwan has been offering to the people of Malaita and Solomon Islands as a whole. But then don't know how the switch of government to the mainland China happened without consulting the people.
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