PRIME Minister honorable Jeremiah Manele MP, and his delegation have arrived in the Fujian Province of the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) on the yesterday morning of 09th July 2024.
PM Manele was treated to a red carpet welcome by the Fujian Municipal Government and immediately embarked on a number of engagements.
The main highlight of the engagements, was the formal signing of the sister relationship between the Fujian Province and the Western Province which took place in the late evening.
Signatories to the formalization of the sister relationship included the Governor of the Fujian Province and Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Fujian Provincial Committee, Mr. Zhao Long and representing the Solomon Islands Government and Western Provincial Government, the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, honorable Wayne Ghemu.
The historical signing was witnessed by both the Solomon Islands delegation and the Fujian Provincial Government leaders and officials.
When delivering his bilateral statement to the Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of Fujian Provincial People’s Congress, Mr. Zhou Zuyi, Prime Minister Manele MP, stated that the formalization of the sister relationship is one of the key deliverables of his visit.
“…as I strongly believe that sub- national relations contribute and enhances the strategic and comprehensive relations Solomon Islands has with China,” the Prime Minister underscored.
PM Manele further added that Western Province is keen to explore this relationship as the current Premier of the Province is pushing for the formalization of the relationship.
The Prime Minister has acknowledged former Premier of Western Province honorable David Gina who has initiated this sub- national relationship and who is now a Member of Parliament and accompanying the PM on this trip.
In pointing the similarities between the Provinces of Fujian and Western, the Prime Minister stated that the Provinces are known for their marine and fishery resources, as well as tourism.
“It is my hope that these two provinces can exchange information and experiences in the fisheries sector for mutual benefit,” PM Manele stated.
The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to more investors of Fujian Province to invest in Solomon Islands under this sub- national framework.
PM Manele reaffirmed that the national government will support this mutually beneficial cooperation between the two provinces.
PM’s itinerary for today, 10th July 2024, included visits to China National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology, China Pacific Islands Countries Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation Center and also the China- Pacific Island Countries Police Training Center.
Details of the visits will be made available as and when they will happen.
