Solomon Islands' New Cabinet Announced; Former PM Rick Hou, Who Supported Ties with Taiwan, Appointed Foreign Minister

(Central News Agency, Sydney, 18th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The Solomon Islands' new government cabinet list is out, with former Prime Minister Rick Hou, who once supported maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and a lawmaker critical of China both appointed to key positions, suggesting a potential shift in the political situation of the Solomon Islands, the nation with the closest ties to Beijing in the South Pacific. According to AFP, former Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele stepped down after a no-confidence vote in parliament, and on the 15th, parliament elected opposition leader Matthew Wale as the new Prime Minister. The Solomon Islands, located about 1,600 kilometers northeast of Australia, holds significant strategic value, and leadership changes are always closely watched by Western diplomats. China and the U.S. ally Australia are currently the Solomon Islands' largest aid donors and security partners, both vying to expand their geopolitical influence there. Wale appointed former Prime Minister Rick Hou as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Peter Kenilorea Jr. as Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, responsible for close coordination with donor countries. Peter Kenilorea Jr. is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a global organization of lawmakers from various countries critical of Beijing's policies. Former Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, James Batley, told AFP, "China might find him (Kenilorea Jr.) a bit tricky because he will put 'transparency' as a top principle," adding that this cabinet appointment "sends a certain signal," but "it is unlikely that the Solomon Islands will reverse its decision to establish diplomatic relations with China because of this." The new Foreign Minister, Rick Hou, served as Prime Minister from 2017 to 2019. Shortly after he stepped down in 2019, the Solomon Islands broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established them with China, a move Hou had harshly criticized at the time. Batley said that as a former central bank governor, Hou is "experienced in international relations and will not be easily intimidated." Diplomatic envoys from China and Australia met with Wale separately on the 16th. According to a statement released by the Solomon Islands authorities today, Wale told Chinese Ambassador Cai Weiming that the Solomon Islands adheres to the one-China principle and intends to work closely with China to bring tangible benefits to its people. (Translation: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150518