DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Development Manasseh Maelanga attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China.
The two-day conference which concluded yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and was expected to have representatives from more than 130 countries participating.
The Solomon Islands delegation led by DPM Maelanga participated in the forum upon the invitation of the People’s Republic of China’s Government through the Minister for Natural Resources Mr Wang Guanghua.
The forum involved three high-level forums held simultaneously for in-depth discussions on connectivity, green development and the digital economy.
Additionally, six thematic forums were conducted in parallel under the topics of trade connectivity, people-to-people bonds, think tank exchanges, clean silk-road, subnational cooperation, and maritime cooperation.
DPM Maelanga delivered remarks on the thematic forum on maritime cooperation as it aimed to promote exchanges and cooperation on developing sustainable blue economy, while protecting ocean ecosystem and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
On the platform, Solomon Islands promoted Maritime Cooperation with China and other Pacific Island countries under the Belt and Road Initiative.
DPM Maelanga is accompanied by the Minister of Planning Rexon Ramofafia and other senior government officials. The delegation was received at the Beijing International Airport by Charge d’Affaires Theresia Shanel who would accompany them throughout their tour in China.
