Solomon Islands PM survives no-confidence vote

SYDNEY－Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday survived a no-confidence motion in parliament, where he accused "Taiwan's agents" of orchestrating recent political violence that plunged the Pacific island nation into crisis.

The no-confidence motion, moved by the opposition, drew support from only 15 members of parliament, with 32 voting against it and two abstaining.

Sogavare late last month said foreign interference was behind the anti-government protests, arson and looting that ravaged the capital Honiara. Dozens of buildings were burned and shops looted in the violence that killed four citizens.

Sogavare, now in his fourth stint in office, rejected accusations of graft from his opponents, saying he would not submit to "calls to resign by Taiwan's agents".

"The call for me to resign and this motion was made against the backdrop of an illegal attempted coup," said Sogavare, who also blamed the Malaita provincial government for the unrest.

Domestic issues and disagreement over a 2019 switch of diplomatic ties to Beijing from Taiwan have fueled a dispute between the national government and Malaita, the island nation's most populous province. Church leaders have called for talks.

For two hours, Sogavare thundered at his opponents on the floor of parliament, at points shaking with rage. "We must stand up to this tyranny," he screamed, banging his chair as he vowed never to "bow down to the forces of evil".

China is an economic powerhouse, Sogavare said. It was unlawful for provinces to engage in diplomatic relations with others, he said.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a news conference that China believes the situation in the Solomon Islands will soon stabilize under Sogavare's leadership.

China's embassy in the Solomons said on Monday that any attempt to damage bilateral ties between China and the Solomon Islands was doomed to fail. Ties between the two countries will overcome all difficulties, the embassy said.

Agencies Via Xinhua - China Daily