China and the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations Saturday, days after the Pacific island nation severed ties with Taiwan.
"We look forward to the quick development of bilateral relations between China and the Solomons," Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said at a ceremony in Beijing alongside his Solomons counterpart Jeremiah Manele.
"We welcome this decision by the Solomon Islands and support the country to move forward in the development path it has chosen for itself."
Solomon's foreign minister said his country's decision to switch diplomatic recognition to China -- its largest trading partner -- was based on "national needs."
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