Visiting several Pacific island countries, China Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently met with Acting Governor General Patteson Oti of Solomon Islands, and had talks with Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, as confirmed by Spokesman Wang Wenbin.
Echoing Wang Yi, he said, “China will, as always, firmly support Solomon Islands in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, defending national unity, and speeding up national development and revitalization. China will continue to do its utmost to provide help in this regard. China is ready to work with Solomon Islands to follow through on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, elevate China-Solomon Islands relations to a higher level, so as to make the bilateral relationship a fine example of political mutual trust and a pacesetter for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and South Pacific Island countries.”
Wang said the recent trip by the Foreign Minister to the Solomon Islands was the first high-level delegation to visit the Solomons since the reestablishment of the diplomatic ties.
He said the visit was “historic….a milestone in the bilateral relationship, underpinned by equal treatment and mutual respect.”
He added that the Solomon Islands would always firmly adhere to the One-China policy and firmly support China in “safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
For Wang, China has become a close friend and an important development partner of Solomon Islands, citing that various agreements signed by the two countries have been effectively implemented.
“China is practicing the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind with practical actions. China’s support has played an important role in developing the economy, improving people’s livelihood and fighting the pandemic, and has created a large number of jobs in Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is looking forward to more cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
He also said that China and the Solomon Islands agreed to jointly build major landmark projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, “make good use of the zero-tariff preferential policy for products exported to China, and help Solomon Islands fully tap its resource advantages and development potential.”
They see an expansion to cooperative efforts in agriculture, fishery, lumbering, mining, health and pandemic prevention, and disaster mitigation and relief, among others.
Wang also mentioned that China will work with the Solomons to ensure that the gymnasiums and otehr facilities for the Pacific Games in 2023 will be completed at high standards.
