China extends influence in Pacific as Solomon Islands break with Taiwan
Blow for Taipei as largest remaining ally in region switches relations to Beijing
The Solomon Islands’ government has voted to sever its longstanding ties with Taiwan and take up diplomatic relations with Beijing.
The move is a huge blow to self-ruled Taiwan, which has lost six allies since 2016, and to Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, who is seeking re-election in January amid rising tension with China.