Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare Photo: VCG

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on Monday said that China appreciates Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's speech during the 77th session of UN General Assembly which strongly fought back against the smears and accusations regarding the relations between the two countries, noting that China will support Solomon Islands to take its independent develop path as always. 

Prime Minister Sogavare's statement is very clear and powerful, countering the unfounded criticism and false accusation against the China-Solomon Islands relations and making a just voice regarding the situation of the Taiwan Straits, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a routine news conference on Monday. 

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister said at the opening debate of the 77th session of UN General Assembly on Friday that his country has been vilified in the media since formalizing its relationship with China, reiterating the call for all to respect the country's sovereignty and democracy. He also called on all countries to be sensitive and not inflame tensions that can threaten the unity and security of any country when speaking over the Taiwan Straits. 

Sogavare said that Solomon Islands will not be coerced into choosing sides, and will not align with any external power(s) or security architecture that targets other country or threaten regional and international peace.

Wang said that China highly appreciates Sogavare's statement which defended the legitimate right of China and Solomon Islands in carrying out normal exchanges and cooperation. 

China has always upholds the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and openness and inclusiveness to develop friendly and cooperative relations with Solomon Islands, and will always be a good friend and partner to be depend on, Wang said. China will support Solomon Islands to follow an independent development path in line with its own national conditions.

Wang also pointed out that during the 77th session of UN General Assembly, many countries have reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China principle, which was once again highlighted as the universal consensus of the international community and the basic norm of international relations.

Global Times