Honiara, 24 July 2026: Acting Prime Minister Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo today received a delegation from the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in a courtesy visit at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Led by Mr Zhao Hongtao, Deputy Director General of the CPC International Department, the delegation is in the country to enhance political party exchanges between the Solomon Islands and China.
During discussions, both leaders reaffirmed their desire to share experiences and success stories in party development and to strengthen party collaboration.
They acknowledged differences in party systems, ideologies and practices between the two countries, but noted shared interests in learning from each other’s successes.
Acting Prime Minister Lilo said the Solomon Islands operates a multi-party system, in contrast to China’s single-party system.
“What matters is that Solomon Islands parties can learn from the success of the CPC in governing and building China into one of the successful and strong nations in the world today,” Mr Lilo said.
“I have read some literature about the rise of China, and I truly admire the philosophies and strategies that it took to build China into one of the successful and strong nations in the world now.”
Beyond the party system, Mr Lilo said the Solomon Islands is a friend of China and is willing to learn from China’s economic growth and its achievements in lifting millions of people out of poverty.
He reaffirmed the Solomon Islands’ commitment to respect and uphold the One China Principle, stating that China’s territorial integrity must be respected and upheld.
Deputy Director General Mr Zhao Hongtao shared the CPC’s experiences and successes, and highlighted the Party’s willingness to collaborate and support party development in the Solomon Islands.
Mr Zhao acknowledged and appreciates different context of both countries party system and reaffirm deep respect on Solomon Islands multi-party system.
He said the success of the CPC is defined by its long-term political stability and its ability to engineer an unprecedented economic and social transformation, transitioning China from an impoverished agrarian society into the world’s second-largest economy.
“Our vision is to share our experience and success to help others succeed in their aspirations and to contribute towards building a harmonious world for everyone,” Mr Zhao said.
