THE People’s Republic of China will assist with more than SBD 170 million dollars in budgetary support to Solomon Islands Government.
This was announced by President Xi Jinping during the bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele MP at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.
This positive outcome is an addition to other equally important achievements stemming from the China state visit taken by PM Manele.
Besides, the budgetary support sister relationships has been forged between Fujian Province and the Western Province. Moreover, a Memorandum of Understanding has been sealed between the Provinces of Shandong and Isabel.
These subnational relations are important for the Provinces to, besides strengthening people to people relations, explore other areas of cooperation such as agriculture, fisheries, education, and health to name a few.
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University also make available five (5) scholarships a year for Solomon Islands students wishing to pursue masters and doctorate studies.
Shandong Province further offered two scholarships a year for Isabel students. The provision of these scholarships further strengthen the people to people relations between the two countries both on national and subnational levels.
Shandong Province offered a fast craft boat to Isabel Province as well, details of it will be arranged between the Provinces.
During the state visit to China, the Prime Minister also received update on the proposed plan to establish Ocean Research Center, an undertaking between Solomon Islands National University and the Ocean University of China.
A number of protocols were signed as well between the Solomon Islands Government and PRC, one such protocol underlines non- conformity to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) for the following goods noni juice, baked cocoa, baked coffee, timber sawn or veneered and logs.
Other protocols signed included protocol on SPS for the export of unroasted beans and cocoa beans, protocol on inspection quarantine and sanitary requirements for Wild Aquatic Products, protocol on inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for cultured aquatic products.
China also announced it agrees to extend the international airport at Henderson. Other potential areas of cooperation include agriculture and renewable energy.
Prime Minister held bilateral talks with top executives of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as well, and potential areas of cooperation were discussed. Solomon Islands become a member of AIIB in September last year. However, there are processes still to fulfill to become full member of the prestigious bank.
The Government for National Unity and Transformation under the leadership of Manele always maintained that the development needs of the country are broad, and so the need to have all bilateral and multilateral partners onboard.
PM Manele always reiterated that one bilateral partner cannot shoulder all the country’s development goals and priorities, as a country we need all our bilateral and multilateral partners.
Since the establishment of bilateral partnership with China five years ago, the relationship has grown from strength to strength with China assisting in transformative projects.
