On September 16, 2019, The Cabinet of Solomon Islands voted to end diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing. This resulted in Taiwan immediately severing ties with the Pacific island nation, ending 36 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, also offered his resignation taking responsibility for the break in relations. In addition to terminating diplomatic ties, Taiwan has ended all bilateral cooperative projects and recalled staff from its embassy, technical mission, and medical mission on the Solomon Islands. The dissolution of diplomatic ties illustrates a difficult future ahead for Taiwan, as it competes for allies with China, a growing world power seeking greater influence across the globe.
