Party leader Francis Billy Hilly instead said the country should re-establish its diplomatic ties with Mainland China.
Mr Hilly, who is currently caretaker minister for Finance, was speaking at the party’s election manifesto launch at the Iron Bottom Sound Hotel yesterday.
“A Solomon Islands National Party led government will see the country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan severed,” Mr Hilly said.
He said this policy is in line with a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) his party signed with Mainland China seven years ago.
“Taiwan is not an independent country. This is why the National Party does not recognise Taiwan.
“Mainland China is,” he said.
Mr Hilly said the Taiwan-China issue has divided the world.
But he said only 26 countries, including Solomon Islands, recognised Taiwan. The rest are with Mainland China.
Mr Hilly said Solomon Island is the only Melanesian country that recognised Taiwan as an independent nation.
“But our country’s almost 30 years of bilateral relationship with Taiwan does not record any major Taiwan investment, nor fosters any major trade development between the two countries.
“On the other hand our informal trade with China is worth about US$40 million. And investments by Mainland Chinese are pouring in everyday.
“The only benefit Solomon Islands receive from Taiwan is an annual bilateral assistance of US$10 million,” Mr Hilly said.
He said a National Party led government would develop diplomatic relation with Mainland China and allow Taiwan to establish a Trade Centre in the country if they so wish.
By TRIXIE CARTER
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