Ambassador of Solomon Islands to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Barrett Salato recently attended the 5th Ministerial Dialogue on Police Capacity Building and Cooperation between China and Pacific Island Countries held in Beijing on 8th September.
The Ministerial Dialogue was co-chaired by the Minister of Public Security, H.E. Wang Xiaohong and Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Vanuatu, Hon. Andrew Napuat.
The Dialogue provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on previous cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries and to discuss renewed cooperation in police capacity building.
During the dialogue, Co-chair H.E. Wang Xiaohong remarked on China’s assistance towards the Pacific Island countries law enforcements, such as 22 batches of Chinese police officials going to Pacific countries to provide assistance and training, inviting over 650 police officers to visit China for training, donating 38 batches of equipment to Pacific countries and many other forms of assistance.
During the meeting, Minister Wang also informed of China’s three-year cooperation initiative (2027-2029), in the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and encouraged Pacific Island countries to voluntarily participate in.
Ambassador H.E. Salato delivered remarks on behalf of the Government of Solomon Islands during the Ministerial dialogue, where he acknowledged the support that China has provided towards strengthening our national law enforcement and policing capabilities, particularly through the launching of Solomon Islands’ first Standard Operating Procedure for drug-testing criminal suspects, providing professional training to RSIPF and donating police vehicles, patrol boats and large number of other equipment to the police force.
Ambassador Salato stated that Solomon Islands will continue to seek cooperation that acknowledges our National Security Strategy, ensures sustainability, and genuinely contributes to our institutional development and national interests.
“By investing in stronger institutions and deeper partnerships, we contribute not only to national security but also to the peace, stability and resilience of the Pacific region as a whole.”
The Ministerial Dialogue was attended by delegations from Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
