Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has visited the southern port city of Kaohsiung as part of his state visit to Taiwan.
During his visit, Sogavare toured the Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone, a facility founded 50 years ago as the first export processing zone in the world.
Sogavare is the first allied leader to make a state visit to Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen’s inauguration in May. During a meeting with Sogavare on Tuesday, Tsai said she hopes to see closer industrial cooperation between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands. Sogavare will remain in Taiwan until July 31.
The Solomon Islands is one of Taiwan’s six allies in the Pacific region. Taiwan and the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations in 1981. The two sides have pursued cooperation projects in areas including agriculture, fisheries, education, health, information technology, and rural development. Sogavare says he hopes his visit will promote closer bilateral ties.