SYDNEY, Sept. 23 -- After a joint communique was signed in Beijing on Saturday to formally establish diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Solomon Islands, Prime Minister of the South Pacific nation Manasseh Sogavare said his country will develop more quickly due to the newly-established relationship.

"Solomon Islands has been in its comfort zone for quite some time," the leader said in an article published by the Solomon Star on Sunday.

"The country has developmental issues that need to be addressed and we would be simply irresponsible to isolate a willing global player (who can) assist developing countries in pursuance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including actions on climate change."

Citing a lack of development opportunities in places outside of the capital city of Honiara, Sogavare said, "we believe that by establishing diplomatic ties with the PRC, we can assist the country in achieving some of its development aspirations."

According to the prime minister, the new relationship will make it easier to do business directly with China, greatly enhancing the Solomon Islands' economic opportunities.

"The cost of doing business with China, who is our single major trading partner, will become cheaper and more efficient," he said.

"Solomon Islands will greatly benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative and will pump in a lot of infrastructure development that are directly to spur our economic development both in the urban centers and in the rural areas," Sogavare added.