A delegation from the Solomon Islands has returned from a transformative two-week seminar on “Urban Governance of Emerging Cities for Developing Countries,” held in Beijing and Guangzhou from April 14 to April 28, 2025.
The seminar, hosted by the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, brought together representatives from over a dozen countries to exchange knowledge and best practices on sustainable urban development.
The Solomon Islands delegation, comprising officials from the Malaita Provincial Government and the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, joined peers from nations including Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Nigeria, Cameroon, Somalia, Mongolia, Nepal, Turkistan, and Cuba. The program featured a series of lectures and site visits focused on China’s successful strategies for urban growth, smart city development, and modernization of governance systems.
Key seminar topics included:
- China’s journey of reform and opening-up, balancing rapid economic growth with social stability and environmental protection.
- Modernization of governance systems, with an emphasis on the rule of law, efficient public services, and anti-corruption measures.
- Construction and development of smart cities leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, 5G, and the Internet of Things.
- Urban transportation planning and intelligent transportation systems to reduce congestion and promote sustainability.
- Community governance models and the role of volunteerism in building resilient urban communities.
The Solomon Islands delegation gained valuable insights into how elements of China’s urban governance model-such as digital public services, smart infrastructure, and people-centered development-can be adapted to address local challenges in Honiara and other provincial towns. The team highlighted the relevance of these strategies in tackling rapid population growth, infrastructure gaps, and environmental issues facing Solomon Islands’ emerging city.
“We are deeply grateful to the Ministry of Commerce of China, UCASS, China Aid, and the PRC Embassy in Honiara for their generous support and hospitality,” said Hon. Randal Sifoni, Deputy Premier of Malaita Province. “This seminar has been an eye-opener, providing us with practical frameworks and innovative solutions to guide the sustainable development of our urban centers.”
The Solomon Islands delegation extends its appreciation to the Ministry’s Executive for their support and looks forward to applying lessons learned to help shape the country’s urban future.
