UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Friday rejected the vilification of his country's diplomatic relations with China, and refused to yield to intimidation.
The right to establish diplomatic relations between sovereign nations is a universal principle shared by all members of the United Nations, Sogavare told the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.
Solomon Islands has been unfairly targeted since formalizing diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China over three years ago, he said. "We have been subjected to a barrage of unwarranted and misplaced criticisms, misinformation and intimidation that threatens our democracy and sovereignty."
Solomon Islands has been vilified in the media since it formalized relations with China. The decision to establish formal ties with China was reached through democratic processes by a democratically elected government, Sogavare said.
"Our decision to establish relationship with the People's Republic of China is consistent with the United Nations 1971 Resolution 2758 observed by most countries in this esteemed (General) Assembly, and which also articulates the one-China policy that Solomon Islands respects," he said. "I reiterate the call for all to respect our sovereignty and democracy."
Solomon Islands has adopted a "friends-to-all-and-enemies-to-none" foreign policy, he said. "In implementing this policy, we will not align ourselves with any external powers or security architecture that targets our or any other sovereign country or threaten regional and international peace. Solomon Islands will not be coerced into choosing sides."
The prime minister quoted late South African President Nelson Mandela's words, which, he said, apply to the current situation of his country: "One of the mistakes which some political analysts make is to think their enemies should be our enemies ... Our attitude towards any country is determined by the attitude of that country to our struggle."
Solomon Islands has no enemies, only friends, said the prime minister. "Our struggle is to develop our country. We stretch out our hand of friendship and seek genuine and honest cooperation and partnership with all."
Mutual respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of any other country are universal and paramount. As a sovereign nation, Solomon Islands embraces and zealously guards these principles, he said. ■
