“MALAITA Province is an important focus of the China-Solomon Islands cooperation.”
This statement was uttered by none other than the Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Cai Weiming when he handed over livelihood items to communities in the Fataleka Constituency in Malaita Province.
The donated items, which included one generator, two sewing machines, 49 radios, 40 portable power sources and solar panels, 200 solar lights, 120 T-shirts and 120 short pants, are part of the PRC’s ongoing Rural Sustainable Development Programme (RSDP).
The Member of Parliament for Fataleka Constituency, Rexon Annex Ramofafia was on hand to receive the donations in a handover ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy yesterday afternoon.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Head of the Chinese Embassy Political Section, Gu Wenlong and Fataleka Constituency representatives.
Ambassador Cai said the cooperation between PRC and Malaita Province has progressed rapidly and went on to highlight the achievements accomplished under this cooperation.
The achievements included the following:
- The recently signed friendly cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jiangsu Province and Malaita Province which saw the donation of livelihood materials worth more than SBD1million to Malaita Province;
- Visit by the Chinese Medical Team (CMT) to Malaita thrice, providing treatment to more than 1000 patients;
- The PRC Scholarship programme for Solomon Islands through which half of the 160 scholarship recipients are from Malaita Province;
- The recently arrived Chinese design team in Auki who will help prepare for the groundbreaking of the Auki Road Tar Sealing Project next month.
Looking forward, the Chinese Ambassador said China will implement a zero-tariff policy on all Solomon Islands products and highlighted that the recently signed PRC-SI Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for ordinary passport holders of the two countries will bring the two peoples closer.
He assured that China will develop more cooperation frameworks with Malaita Province in the fields of agriculture and education.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Malaita Province is the most populated province in Solomon Islands so the impressive results of cooperation between China and Malaita Province could not have been achieved without the strong support of the people in Malaita Province and these achievements will surely bring down-to-earth benefits to the people in Malaita.
“We are confident that with the unwavering support of the people of Malaita Province, there will be a brighter future for the China-Solomon Islands relations under the guidance of building a community with shared future for mankind as proposed by the Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“We are ready to work with the people in Malaita Province to further consolidate our cooperation and bring more benefits to our two peoples,” Ambassador Cai emphasised.
MP Ramofafia, in turn, described the handover ceremony as a show of solidarity between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China.
He said that this partnership has enabled numerous development projects to be implemented in Solomon Islands communities and improve people’s lives.
“We are grateful for the ongoing assistance and look forward to further collaborations in the future. Together, we can continue to work towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”
MP Ramofafia told the ambassador that, “Your Excellency, my people of Fataleka value your continuous support towards the development and livelihood of our communities.
“We are honored to receive such donations. Your commitment to our well-being is truly appreciated. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for believing in the potential of our people. Let us continue to work hand in hand towards a better future for all,” he added.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
