With Solomon island's decision on September 17 to switch ir allegiance to China, Taiwan has lost its largest ally in Pacific. Observers said  move is a premonition that or nations in pacific might follow same. Solomon islands which was site of fierce battles in World War II lies between Australia and US. Thus, its geographical location gives it significant importance to both nations.
Cabinet of Solomon islands voted unanimously in favour of change, said Alex Akwai, a spokesman for Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. government’s caucus took a poll on Monday, with 27 lawmakers voting in favour of switching allegiance to China and six abstaining, he informed. Moreover, Taiwanese Embassy in capital, Honiara, h lowered its flag on Tuesday, Akwai ded. Yet Embassy staff have t given any response.
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Taiwan condemns Solomon island's decision

“We sincerely regret and strongly condemn ir government’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with China,” Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said. He ded that Taiwan will close embassy and recall all technical and medical staff stationed re.

Solomon Islands were largest ally of Taiwan in Pacific. With a population of 660,000, its ecomy relies on agriculture, fishing and forestry, and country has a wealth of undeveloped mineral resources. With Solomon's decision, only 16 countries in world recognize Taiwan. Among those, Marshall Islands and Palau have close ties with US and are unlikely to switch allegiance any soon.
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China welcomes Solomon islands

China, on or hand, welcomed Somolon islands to its pacific family. Chinese commended island's move towards "One-China". country also claims Taiwan to be part of its territory and wants to bring it under ir control. China has been ratcheting up diplomatic and ecomic pressure in an attempt to woo strategic countries since Tsai took office in 2016. Taiwan split from China in 1949 and set up a rival government.

“China highly commends decision of Solomon Islands’ government to recognize one-China principle and sever so-called ‘diplomatic ties’ with Taiwan authorities,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Chinese experts claim Solomon's move to be beneficial. blow to Taiwan wasn’t as big w as it might have been in past, said Professor Anne-Marie Bry, an expert on China at University of Canterbury. Its because Taiwan has mand to create diplomatic relations with European Union, she ded. Solomon Islands will benefit from ir decision as y will be in a position to have better relations with larger nations like US, China, Australia and New Zealand, she speculated.
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US & Australia respond to  Solomon Islands' move

US shouldn't remain silent, said US Republican Senator Marco Rubio. He accused China of pressuring nations to break ties with Taiwan. US and Int’l community should push back China's bullying, he said. He blamed China of isolating Taiwan.

“ Solomon Islands has officially become latest nation to bow to Chinese gov’t pressure and sever ties with Taiwan. U.S. and Int’l community must push back against Beijing’s bullying and efforts to isolate #Taiwan,” Rubio tweeted.

James Batley, a researcher at Australian National University and a former Australian high commissioner in Solomon Islands, said that move wasn't surprising. Yet he warned Solomon islands to beware of China as country was looking for taking loans for various developmental projects. And taking loan from China comes with a lot of ditive costs. Earlier Taiwan h promised to build a stium in Solomon islands for 2023 Pacific Games. With island's latest decision, it has to look forward to China, he said.

“ sense in Solomon Islands is that re are significant resources on offer here from China, and y want to move with times and on side of history,” James said.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

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