ABC Radio Australia
Date: 12 Jun 2020
By: Evan Wasuka on Pacific Beat

A Solomon Islands province has been reprimanded for accepting COVID-19 donations from Taiwan, with China urging Malaita Province to refrain from contact with Taipei.

Solomon Islands switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China last year, ending its 36-year-long relations with Taipei.

But the donations of soaps, masks and bags of rice this week, and a statement by Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani referring to Taiwan as a state has drawn criticism.

Solomons' Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele chided the premier for breaching the One China Policy which recognises Taiwan as a province of China.    [FULL  STORY]