Solomon Islands’ Changing Recognition of Taiwan in 2019

Abstract

This paper discusses why a country shifts its diplomatic policy to another country despite having long-established diplomatic relations. Since 1983, the Solomon Islands, a country in the South Pacific, has maintained diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, in 2019, the Solomon Islands decided to sever its diplomatic ties with Taiwan and pivot to China, even after maintaining relations for 36 years. The analysis in this study uses Gideon Rose's neo-classical realism theory to explain the change in the Solomon Islands Diplomatic Relations policy from Taiwan to China in 2019. The method used in this article is a qualitative method with case studies supported by theory and data. The results of this study show that the Solomon Islands' decision to shift its diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in 2019 was driven by two main factors. Firstly, systemic incentives (external factors) in the form of China's influence and power in the Solomon Islands. These systemic incentives combined with the intervening variable (internal factor), namely the perception of the Solomon Islands' decision-makers regarding diplomatic relations with Taiwan and China. These two factors resulted in the Solomon Islands deciding to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and pivot to China.