Suidani on diplomatic switch  

The Malaita Provincial Premier Daniel Suidani says the switch to China is not in the best interest of the country. Premier Suidani said just by looking at the list of business people traveling with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare one can clearly see Chinese businesses that are behind the switch to China. “If the switch is…

Wale accused of ‘racial disunity’

OPPOSITION leader Mathew Wale has been accused of seeking to divide the country by provoking racial disunity. Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet stated this in a statement in response to earlier comments Wale made about the 32-member delegation currently in China. “The comments by Wale is belittling, discriminatory and contravenes the recognition of…

Wale questions PM’s statement

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale questions the Prime Minister on his pre-departure statement that Solomon Islands will realign its national strategy in line with China’s development assistance.  “Such statements are worrying as it can mean, subjecting matters of strategic importance to our country to China,” Wale said. “Our national strategy means policies and plans that we…

China, SI sign deal under new ties

(Reuters) – Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing yesterday and signed several agreements in the first official visit since the two countries established diplomatic relations last month.  The new diplomatic relationship is a sign of China’s growing influence in the Pacific and a setback for self-ruled, democratic Taiwan.…

Lunga school unveils new ablution block 

Lunga community high school (CHS) in East Honiara yesterday unveiled its newly completed ablution block. The project commenced last year after the old ablution block was removed. According to the school principal Joy Cornelius, the need to upgrade the facility is due to the increasing enrollment of students at the school. The new block provides…

SINU tourism students clean-up city streets

Students from the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (ITH) at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) staged a clean-up exercise yesterday through the streets of Honiara. They students walked the streets of Honiara collecting plastics, bottles and other garbage as part of their community service.  The students were divided into 3 groups; one started from…

More Japanese volunteers to arrive 

FOUR Japanese volunteers under the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) program are expected to arrive in the country in December to replace some of the outgoing volunteers. JICA Program Officer James Niaseka said following the return of the 8 volunteers early this month, plans are in place to replace some of them by December. “The names…