Media Association of Solomon Islands did not seek PINA's opinion on Taiwan sponsorship: Ken Clark

The wrangling between China and Taiwan over the latter's sponsporship of the upcoming Pacific Island News Association (PINA) convention scheduled for May in Honiara has taken another twist after PINA president, Ken Clark revealed that they were not consulted.

Yesterday Mr Clark, who is the Fiji Television's Chief Executive Officer and the President of PINA stated that the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) made the decision to accept financial support from Taiwan without consulting PINA, its board of directors or its members.

"MASI did not consult PINA, its board of directors or its members on its decision to accept financial support from Taiwan for the PINA conference in Honiara in May," said Mr Clark.

“It came as no surprise that the People’s Republic of China expressed concern about Taiwan’s involvement in the conference,” Mr Clark said.

He said PINA restated its position that it would not be involved in the controversy nor would it allow its May conference to be hijacked by any particular point of view on the China/Taiwan issue.

Source: PNG National