AS we bid farewell to 2024 tonight, we at Solomon Star wish to thank you all – our readers, advertisers, all Solomon Islanders and friends of Solomon Islands – for your support throughout 2024. Indeed, it was a challenging year, but through your support and understanding, we were able to sail through safely. But before we enter the new year 2025, which of course will come with new challenges, we would like to remind you of some of our major stories in 2024 and here are they:
Flash back January to December 2024
JANUARY
Solomon Airlines H4-SIC reportedly grounded after being hit on the tail by a refuelling truck
SOLOMON AIRLINES has reportedly grounded its newest Twin Otter aircraft indefinitely following an incident at Henderson Domestic Airport on Tuesday 2nd January.
No immediate confirmation could be obtained from the Airline.
However, Solomon Star has been reliably informed that the Twin Otter aircraft, H4-SIC was stationary at the time of the incident. It was being refuelled its first flight that day.
A refuelling truck allegedly hit the tail of the plane causing damage which rendered the aircraft unserviceable.
Sources said the aircraft won’t be able to fly again “until the manufacturer of the aircraft assess the damage.”
The driver of the refuelling truck was said to be under the influence of alcohol, although this could not be independently verified.
The Twin Otter aircraft is said to be the first of its kind to be owned by Solomon Airlines. The Canadian built aircraft is said to be fitted with the latest technology with a full glass cockpit.
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THE new Constituency Development Funds (CDFs) Act 2023 passed by Parliament comes into full force today (5 January).
This was after the Governor General of Solomon Islands Sir David Vunagi assented it and thereafter signed by the Minister for the Ministry of Rural Development, Duddley Kopu on 30 December 2023.
A Gazette legal notice declaring the CDF Act 2023 coming into force was already published on 30th December 2023 by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC). It replaced the CDF Act 2013.
With new strict measures in the new legislation, there is confidence of a much-improved delivery of services under the CDF program starting this year and onwards.
The passing of the CDF Bill 2023 into an Act by Parliament and its gazetting into a law was a landmark achievement for our country, Solomon Islands in terms of strengthening the governance of one of the much-criticized public funds in the history of our independent state and also answered the cries of many Solomon Islanders who wishes to see continuation of the CDF Program under an improved management and good governance practices.
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SOLOMON Islands Government has reaffirmed its recognition of the One China Principle and that Taiwan is an integral part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) territory.
The reaffirmation followed the outcome of recent elections in Taiwan.
The Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele called for international respect for PRC’s sovereignty over Taiwan and support for the maintenance of peace and security along the Taiwan straits.
“Solomon Islands values its relations with the People’s Republic of China who is Solomon Islands Comprehensive and Strategic Partner. The Two countries continue to work together on a number of sectors in the country,” Caretaker Minister Manele said in a statement yesterday (13 January).
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ELECTION Officials have been sternly reminded of the fundamentals of elections and one of them is to politically-independent.
The reminder was issued by the Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jasper Highwood Anisi as Senior Provincial Electoral Officials for Guadalcanal and Honiara begun a series of election training in preparation for the 2024 Joint Election in April.
The training took place in Honiara and was facilitated by the Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) Operations and Training Team.
SIEO CEO and Commissioner Anisi, in his opening statement, acknowledged the Election Officials for being part of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) 2024 Joint Election Field Operation.
He reminded them that as Electoral Officers their mandate under the Electoral Act 2018, is an extension of the powers conferred to the Chief Electoral Officer under relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
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SOLOMON Islands has been rated amongst top Pacific Island nations that offer ‘best visa-free or visa-on-arrival’ access for past four years since 2019 and again this year.
That’s according to the newly released Passport Index.
Of all the Pacific Islands nations, Solomon Islands is placed in the third position behind New Zealand and Australia.
“Among the small Pacific Island States, the Solomon Islands passport offers the best visa-free or visa-on-arrival access as of 2019.
“It was placed 33rd on the Passport Index in 2024, barely ahead of Tuvalu (ranked 36), Samoa (ranked 36), Kiribati (ranked 37), and Tonga (ranked 38),” it was revealed.
There are 88 countries that offer visa-free entry to holders of the Solomon Islands passport, while 46 more require one upon arrival.
Solomon Islands passport holders are permitted to visit 134 countries without requiring the inconvenience of a prior visa application.
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NEW Zealand will provide SBD $35 million to support Solomon Islands first synchronized elections this year.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jonathan Schwass said New Zealand is pleased to be able to meet the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission’s (SIEC’s) request for assistance to help deliver this year’s parliamentary, provincial assembly and city council elections.
“New Zealand has a long history of supporting elections in the Pacific, including in Solomon Islands.
“We’re very pleased to be able to support SIEC to organise free and fair 2024 elections in which every voter can cast their informed vote. This is a key part of the democratic process,” High Commissioner Schwass said.
New Zealand’s support will help train civic coordinators and educators, recruit and train polling booth staff and set up an operation centre.
SIEC Chair Taeasi Sanga thanked the New Zealand Government on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government for its support.
“New Zealand has always been a friend to Solomon Islands,” Mrs Sanga said.
“This is not the first time the New Zealand Government has supported the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission is grateful for this funding support, which will go towards the preparation and management of the simultaneous elections in 2024,” she added.
New Zealand will provide separate funding of up to SBD $15 million to cover technical support from the New Zealand Electoral Commission, transportation of election materials and personnel during the election period, and provision of New Zealand election observers.
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SUPPORTERS and followers of the former Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani have welcomed the decision by the High Court which refuses to the strike out the application of the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Rolland Seleso and Speaker of Malaita Provincial Assembly Ronnie Butala against the removal of Suidani as a Provincial Assembly member.
Mr Suidani filed a court case against the now caretaker MPGIS Minister and Mr Butala following his removal from the Malaita Province Assembly as the representative for Ward 5.
He was removed and disqualified by Minister Seleso purportedly in accordance to Section 15 (1) (a)of the Provincial Government Act 1997.
However, in the High Court Civil Case No.187 of 2023, the High Court refused to strike out the application for the first respondent Minister Seleso and the second respondent Malaita Provincial Assembly Speaker Mr Butala.
In a statement, Suidani’s former political Advisor Celsus Talifilu said now that this procedural issue has been settled in favour of Mr Suidani, “The court will now proceed to the substantive case of Suidani’s disqualification from the Malaita Provincial Assembly.”
“This is part of the ongoing case of the former premier against Minister Seleso and Speaker Butala where Suidani was disqualified from being a Malaita Provincial Assembly Member for Ward 5 – West Baegu Fataleka.
“In handing down the decision, Justice Maelin Bird granted to the petitioner (Suidani) the reliefs sought and refusing the strike out application by the First and Second Respondents (Minister Seleo and Speaker Butala),” Mr Talifilu said.
Mr Talifilu said this is a positive result for Mr Suidani and for the rule of law.
Suidani is represented by Mr Gabriel Suri, whilst Minister Seleso and Speaker Butala are represented by Brenton Pitry of the Attorney Generals Chambers.
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STATE-OWNED Enterprise (SOE) Solomon Airlines launches its new four-year strategic plan ‘Navigating Excellence’ which outlines seven goals and their accompanying benchmarks to become the best emerging airline service provider in the Pacific region.
The ambitious Solomon Airlines 2024-2028 Strategic Plan was launched at the Heritage Park Hotel in the presence of the Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga, Caretaker Minister of Finance & Treasury, Attorney General John Muria, Australian Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel and Chairmen of Government Statutory bodies, other government officials and stakeholder representatives.
Navigating Excellence is a roadmap to position the national carrier wants to be in the next five years and that is to be the best emerging airline service provider in the pacific region.
It revolves around seven these seven long-term goals and accompanying benchmarks:
- Enhancement of operational safety and security: To ensure this, Solomon Airlines has expressed commitment to maintain and enhance operational safety standards by fortifying security measures to safeguard passengers and operations.
- Cultivation of talent excellence and nurturing of employee engagement: Solomon Airlines aims to nurture an inclusive and supportive workplace that promotes the growth, well-being, and professional development of our employees.
- Enhancing operational efficiency and cost management: the focus of Solomon Airlines is on improving on-time performance, optimizing fleet utilization, and streamlining operational processes to ensure efficiency and cost reduction.
- Modernizing fleet composition, enabling sustainable growth and promoting environmental responsibility: To achieve this Solomon Airlines has expressed dedication to revitalizing its aircraft fleet, focusing on safety, efficiency and passenger comfort, whilst it aligns its fleet composition with market demand and prioritizes sustainability.
- Elevating customer experience and driving digital transformation: Solomon Airlines has expressed commitment to delivering exceptional service and crafting memorable journeys for passengers through digital transformation and innovation.
- Driving financial performance and optimizing revenue generation: The aim of Solomon Airlines is to maximize revenue through innovative strategies and effective cost management, securing Solomon Airlines’ financial resilience and sustainability.
- Achieving sustainable growth and market expansion: Solomon Airlines aspires to expand its market presence by identifying new opportunities, crafting comprehensive marketing and branding strategies and fostering strategic partnerships.
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CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has called on the country’s citizens to choose honest men and women who love God and the nation in the coming National General Elections (NGE) in April.
He made the call at the opening of the 2024 Legal Year at the High Court yesterday.
“The ball is in our hands once again come April 2024, to choose righteous, just and honest men and women who love God and love this nation into the echelons of leadership and positions of great responsibility in our nation,” Sir Albert said.
Sir Albert added that this is a very important time of the year and for the nation.
“When the opportunity comes knocking at our doorsteps again to choose the next leaders of Parliament to take this nation forward not only for the next four years but the next 45 years.”
The Chief Justice said the country has come 45 years since independence in 1978 and what and where the country is today is the result of the decisions of those that Solomon Islanders had chosen to lead this nation.
“You see, we have come 45 years so far since Independence in 1978.
“Who and where we are today is as a result of the leaders that our people had chosen to lead this nation in the past 4 and 45 years.
“Having come this far for some of us is by the Grace of God. For we were privileged to witness life before Independence and after Independence and we realize there is so much good and so much progress that can be achieved. But that question lies solely in the hands of our people to choose the right leaders to drive and push this nation forward in the next elections.”
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THE Ministry of Education & Human Resource Development (MEHRD) is working with the Ministry of Peace, Traditional Governance & Ecclesiastical Affairs (MPTGEA) and relevant stakeholders to develop a peace curriculum that amongst a number of factors recognises and respects students’ sexual orientation.
Sexuality, in this case human sexuality, is the way people experience and express themselves sexually and covers lesbianism, gayism, bisexuality and transgender.
This peace curriculum is catered for in the Education Act 2023.
Speaking at the International Education Day celebration in Honiara last Friday, Caretaker MEHRD Minister Lanelle Tanangada said as a country, Solomon Islands continues to build peace initiatives with MPTGEA to integrate a peace curriculum into the school syllabus.
“The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development together with the Ministry of Peace and Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs are currently working together with relevant stakeholders, faith-based organisations, education providers and schools on peace education in the country as captured in their 4-year plan 2020-2023.”
She said it is paramount that peace education is mainstreamed nationwide and the strategies employed to achieve this is collaboration with education institutions to develop a peace curriculum in partnership with other relevant stakeholders and institutions to develop comprehensive peace education material.
Ms Tanagada added that MEHRD is committed to the new education reform – Education Act 2023 which highlights the important role that education plays in protecting any child from any physical or psychological harm within or outside of Solomon Islands.
“Therefore, MEHRD will ensure that all students are provided with a safe and inclusive learning environment where their rights and responsibilities are recognized and respected. We ensure students are treated fairly regardless of their gender, sexuality, health, disability, religion, race or ethnicity. In addition, we must ensure that school learning environment is inclusive in terms of meeting special needs children through infrastructure and learning program/ materials.
“Furthermore, the MEHRD will ensure to provide students with the educational, social and emotional support required to fully engage in learning. Therefore, meeting individual needs through counseling services, teachers’ individualized planning, and specialized programs for special needs are crucial to address such special needs children,” she explained.
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FEBRUARY
SOLOMON Noni Corporation Ltd has made a historical breakthrough into the United States market, the world’s largest economy, after exporting 40 tons of noni juice to Los Angeles.
The 40 tons of noni was exported at the beginning of this month and 80 more tons will be exported in the next few months.
The 40 tons of pure noni juice will be reproduced with other fruit juice to produce a million cans 12oz (300ml) of carbonated wild noni drinks.
This is the second shipment. The first shipment of 10 tonnes was made at the end of last year.
The founder and owner of Solomon Noni Corporation Ltd, Mr Bodo Dettke said this is the second shipment and they are anticipating more shipments throughout this year as the demand in USA is very high for noni from Solomon Islands.
“We have approximately 200 retail shops within the Los Angeles area within California. We are now in talks with 30 major supermarket chains and wholesalers to distribute our products America-wide,” the former MP for Northwest Guadalcanal said.
He said they are anticipating 80 tons for their third shipment and hopefully, 160 tons by mid this year.
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THE Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launches the Solomon Islands Renewable Readiness Assessment (RRA) Report.
The renewable readiness assessment was undertaken by the IRENA through its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Lighthouses Initiative (LHI) to recommend strategies that would expedite efforts toward an energy transition, emphasizing the promotion of various renewable energy (RE) sources coupled with energy efficiency interventions.
According to the IRENA data, the goal was for 73 percent of the Solomon Islands’ population to have access to electricity by 2020, with a further ambition to achieve universal electricity access for its population by 2050.
Enhancing energy access is expected to significantly enhance the quality of life for the people of the Solomon Islands, fostering socio-economic benefits including employment opportunities, income generation, improved access to healthcare, education, food, water security (including fisheries), and the expansion of the nation’s tourism sector.
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SOLOMON Islands United Party (UP) has declared its intention to reassess the country’s security agreement with China should it secure a position in a coalition government after the upcoming April elections.
The current caretaker Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) led by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare inked the security pact with China in 2023, following the shift in diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in 2019.
The signing of the security pact has ignited a public outcry and raised concerns from Australia and the United States of America.
Prime Minister Sogavare defended the decision, stating that it aligns with the country’s National Security Strategy (NSS) and emphasized Solomon Islands’ sovereign right to broaden its security cooperation.
However, Peter Kenilorea Junior, the political wing leader of UP, expressed the party’s disagreement with the security arrangement during a press conference.
Mr Kenilorea Jnr emphasized the pact created unnecessary tension and shifted the focus for the wrong reasons.
He stated, “We injected ourselves into this playing field where giants are and then we become the grass upon which this giant treads. So, we want to lessen this tension and I think one of those ways is to get rid of this security arrangement with China.”
Mr Kenilorea Jnr clarified that the UP is not advocating for the exclusion of China as a development partner.
Instead, he said the party aims to encourage diplomatic growth by inviting more embassies, such as India and Indonesia, to be stationed in Honiara.
The policy also includes the reestablishment of ties with Taiwan.
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SOLOMON Islands needs to secure more loans in order to fully accomplish the projects contained in the National Infrastructure Priority Pipeline 2023 (NIPP 2023), Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated.
In his keynote address at the launch of NIPP2023 in Honiara, the Caretaker Prime Minister underscored reliable connectivity as crucial for the infrastructure ecosystem.
However, he highlighted that as not all projects under NIPP2023 are funded, Solomon Islands Government (SIG) would be happy to loan to deliver these unfunded projects under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP).
“If you look at the NIPP2023 you will know the status of each infrastructure project. Some are funded, while others are not and Solomon Islands Government is happy to loan and we will do that to build these infrastructures for our people.
“In fact, under the LMCP, we have loan components in its finance mix. I believe some of these infrastructures like those in our big Islands like Guadalcanal, Malaita and also the Western Province can pay for themselves after they are built because economic activities along these roads can raise enough revenue to pay back these loans and so we will proceed along that line.
“Reliable connectivity is crucial for this ecosystem of infrastructure because without the availability of transport, businesses will not invest, tourists are put off visiting, produces cannot get to the markets, people will not be able to get to schools and health centers.
“Transport is therefore central and it’s a priority in the pipeline.”
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THE Acting Governor General Patteson John Oti yesterday declared April 17 as the day Solomon Islands would go to the poll to elect 50 Members who will represent the 700-thousand plus people in the 12th Parliament.
Mr Oti’s declaration confirmed a report carried by Solomon Star on 27 January that this year’s election would be held on Wednesday 17 April.
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AS the Solomon Islands prepare for the National and Provincial General Elections scheduled for 17 April, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Honiara Chris Cardone has issued a heartfelt appeal to all Catholic communities and people of goodwill across the nation to cast their votes wisely.
In a pastoral letter addressed to the faithful, Archbishop Cardone emphasized the importance of making informed choices during this crucial electoral period.
Highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that elections bring, Archbishop Cardone urged voters to approach the upcoming polls with wisdom and discernment.
“The forthcoming election is a watershed moment for our nation,” Archbishop Cardone stated. “It presents us with a choice that will profoundly impact the future trajectory of the Solomon Islands.”
With a firm belief in the transformative power of responsible leadership, Archbishop Cardone encouraged voters to select candidates who demonstrate qualities of integrity, humility, and commitment to serving the common good.
He emphasized the importance of choosing leaders who are not only well-educated and community-oriented but also deeply rooted in their faith, regularly participating in church life and upholding moral values.
“Let us seek out leaders who will lead and serve with compassion, prioritizing the needs of all constituents, particularly the most vulnerable among us,” Archbishop Cardone urged.
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THE Caretaker Minister of Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo has apologized to the country’s Chinese Community for the wrongs that indigenous Solomon Islands committed to them over the years.
Caretaker Minister Parapaolo issued the national apology in his keynote address at the Chinese New Year Fair and Lantern Festival at the Chungwah School in Honiara.
A Chinese New Year Fair marks the end of a Chinese New Year Celebration, whilst the Lantern Festival is when the Chinese bid farewell to the past and embrace a promising New Year.
The Caretaker Culture and Tourism Minister said, “As one of the aims of the Lantern Festival is to promote reconciliation, peace and forgiveness, today I would like to take the opportunity to stand here on behalf of the government and good people of Solomon Islands to say sorry to the Chinese Community for the wrongs that have been committed to you in the past.
“In many instances, you have become the scapegoat of our [Solomon Islands] own internal quarrels.
“Despite the losses you have experienced and the uncertainty you have to endure, you have demonstrated a strong resolve to remain resilient and continue to invest and call Solomon Islands home.”
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MARCH
TWO chiefs from Ontong Java, Chris Sangakola and Hugo Kivan are apprehended by police for their alleged role in instigating the illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers.
The arrests, conducted jointly by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), occurred at the Point Cruz Wharf in Honiara upon the suspects’ arrival from the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) on board MV Vatate.
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PEOPLE of Western Province can now access passport services without having to travel to Honiara to access these services.
This follows the national government’s installation of a Passport Mobile Enrolment equipment in Noro, West North New Georgia.
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THE Choiseul Provincial Assembly elects MPA Harrison Ngosu Pitakaka as the new Premier.
MPA Pitakaka was elected into office during the full assembly meeting in Taro.
He replaces Tongoau Tabe who was ousted in a Motion of No Confidence a week earlier.
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APRIL
THE Caretaker Minister for Communication and Aviation (MCA)Peter Shanel Agovaka has welcomed the pilot National Addressing and Postcode System Project for Honiara, underscoring it as integral to global trading, customs requirements, and payment mode shopping carts and e-shops and transportation and logistics.
Mr Agovaka launched the project in Honiara in the presence of the Chairman of the Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (SIPC) Board, James Apaniai, officials from MCA and SIPC, Permanent Secretaries and other senior government officials, Heads of State-Owned Enterprises and Heads of Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Honiara.
“Ladies and gentlemen, in the contemporary world, national addressing and postcode is integral to global trading, customs requirements, and payment mode shopping carts and e-shops, transportation and logistics.
“With the introduction of the national addressing and postcode, our addresses will no longer be under the coconut trees or next to the banana trees. Our houses and buildings will finally have addresses, even the roads and footpaths will be given names and we will finally enjoy the benefits and ease of service delivery at our doorstep,” Mr Agovaka said.
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THE Ballot Papers for the 2024 Joint Election were printed and have arrived in the country on Tuesday 2 April.
SIEC said the ballot papers totaling one million cater for the number of voters who will vote for Members of Parliament and the Provincial/Honiara City Council Elections on April 17.
Voters in Western and Choiseul Provinces will cast only participate in the National General Election (Parliamentary Election) as they are exempted from the Provincial Election. They will join the Provincial Election with rest of the provinces in the 2028 Joint National Election.
SIEC said the Ballot Papers were printed in record time to ensure that they are in place at least two weeks before the polling date and ready for distribution to all provincial centers.
It said all the Ballot Papers were safely delivered with the assistance of the Australian Defense Force who will continue with their dispatchment along with the polling materials to the provinces in the coming days.
The Ballot Papers were accompanied to the country by four staff of the Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) led by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Christina Mitini.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Jasper Highwood Anisi thanked the Government of Australia for its tremendous support in making sure that the Ballot Paper are ready before the polling date.
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CHINA’S Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Cai Weiming has deplored ongoing “debt-trap” narratives targeted at destabilizing the growing friendship between Solomon Islands and the Peoples Republic China.
Speaking in Auki at the signing of the Sister Relationship between Malaita Province and China’s Jiangsu Province, Ambassador Weiming said the relationship between China and Solomon Islands is not based on the so-called “give and take” narrative.
Following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2019, there were certain groups and individuals locally and internationally propagating anti-China sentiments resulting in gross misinformation such as land grabbing, resource exploitation or debt traps.
“There are no hidden agenda to take lands or exploit resources or set up debt traps for local communities, especially in Malaita, as some vicious lies and rumors about China claimed,” Ambassador Weiming said.
He added that the relationship between the two countries is based on the one-China principle and Chinese wisdom of more than 2000 years ago.
Ambassador Weiming made reference to a famous Chinese Scholar Mengzi who wrote in his teaching saying “If you are poor, you shall refine your virtue in solitude. If you are well-off, you shall help others with an open heart”.
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THE Caretaker Democratic Coalition Government for Change (DCGS) had decided in 2019 to engage with the liquidator of the now defunct Russell Islands Plantations Estate Limited (RIPEL) and Levers Solomons Limited on Tenaru land.
This decision came after Levers Solomons Limited (LSL), the secured creditor or mortgagee of RIPEL and Tenaru land, raised concerns about the government bypassing them and engaging directly with the liquidator.
The liquidator has been appointed only over the Orbis and Pacific Investment Holding Limited.
However, Attorney General John Muria Junior clarified in a press conference yesterday that the court-appointed liquidator operates according to Australian laws.
Mr Muria Junior explained that the structure of Levers Solomons Limited is quite complex as it involves a number of companies in Australia and as far as the Cook Islands.
He said the liquidators were appointed for the parent companies.
Mr Muria Junior said if the government takes control of the company, it would effectively take control of all associated entities.
AS the first-ever Joint Election draws near, Voters in Honiara who have registered to vote in their home constituencies are travelling to their respective constituencies to cast their vote.
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CHIEF Electoral Officer (CEO) and Commissioner Jasper Highwood Anisi has acknowledged the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for the safe and efficient delivery of ballot papers to the provinces.
“I’m so happy and grateful for NZDF assistance in timely delivering our Joint Election ballot papers to the provinces well ahead of the poll on the 17th April 2024. This would be the first in election history to have the ballot papers delivered two weeks before Election Day.”
“And I must acknowledge the New Zealand Government and its Defence Force for their tremendous support by airlifting the ballot papers for Central Islands Province this morning.”
He added that Solomon Islands is geographically dispersed, which means it can be logistically challenging to ensure that the ballot papers arrive in time.
CEO Anisi said it is also challenging for even voters to arrive at the polling station in time to vote on 17 April.
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THE Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) is seeking less than $100 million from the $140 million government bond to repurchase land owned by RIPEL and Levers Solomon Limited (LSL).
These companies hold significant land portions in Russels, Central Islands Province and Lunga and Tenaru in Guadalcanal Province.
Chairman of the SINPF Board, Dr Jimmie Rodgers confirmed this to the media.
He said SINPF and Solomon Ports prefer to invest in government bonds.
However, Dr Rodgers said the government awaits confirmation from Solomon Power before determining the investment amounts from each entity in the government’s bond.
In a meeting on February 20, the Cabinet agreed to repurchase RIPEL and Levers land in Lunga/Tenaru for $140 million on bonds.
Dr Rodgers said the Secretary to Cabinet, Nego Sisiolo conveyed the Cabinet’s decision to the chairs of the three boards.
Nonetheless, he said $140 million is a substantial sum for a single entity to cover.
“From SINPF’s perspective, we assess our risks and evaluate investments for our members. It is crucial because we manage members’ funds, and any diversification of funds must yield higher returns than the initial investment,” Dr Rodgers added.
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SOLOMON Islands has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on fishing arrangements for 2024 under the Pacific-US Tuna Treaty which spans more than three decades.
The MoU for 2024 aims to further strengthen the cooperation and sustainable management of the Pacific’s tuna resources amid ongoing economic challenges and environmental concerns, including Climate Change and IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing.
The MoU signing marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between 10 Pacific Island States and the United States for sustainable fisheries management.
The signing ceremony on April 10 was the continuation of the initial MoU ceremony that was held in Suva, Fiji, on 28 March this year between the US through its Embassy and 10 Pacific Nations. Solomon Islands, Niue and New Zealand along with four other states did not sign the MoU then.
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THE Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has deployed an election observer mission here in the country to observe the Joint Elections tomorrow and the Secretary General Henry Puna welcomed the opportunity to participate in the ‘sacred’ democratic election observation process.
The PIF Observer Mission is here at the invitation of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC).
The mission is led by High Commissioner of Samoa to Fiji, Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia and Secretary of the Law Reform Commission under the Ministry of Justice and Social Welfare of Vanuatu, Lawson Samuel and is supported by PIF Secretariat staff.
Mr Puna in welcoming the opportunity to convene the observer team, underscored the importance of Pacific nations, sharing common insights and appreciation for the Pacific context, to observe the election and convey observations through a publicly available post-election report.
“The Forum’s first ever election observer mission was to the Solomon Islands in 2001, and I welcome the Solomon Islands’ consistent invitation to domestic and international observers to participate in this sacred democratic process,” Mr Puna said.
“From the very beginning we’ve known just how unique elections in our part of the world are, especially in a region that has a very large Ocean area, where many of our populations are based in remote or rural communities far from urban centres. Our Blue Pacific continent deeply values cultural and traditional customs, as well as democratic values and principles.”
The Forum Observer Team will observe polling on Election Day and the count. They will meet with a wide range of stakeholders including the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, election candidates, Government officials, and civil society representatives throughout the course of the mission.
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CHIEF Electoral Officer and Commissioner Jasper Highwood Anisi has announced the deployment of Electoral Officials to polling stations across the country’s 50 constituencies ahead of the first ever Joint Elections today – 17 April.
Mr Anisi made the announced the deployment of electoral officials last night and he added that the officials are eager to do their duties today at all polling stations.
“We are in a state of readiness and our officials will try their best to ensure that every voter that turns up at the polling station between the voting hours of 7am-4pm, is facilitated and is able to exercise his or her constitutional right to vote,” said Mr Highwood Anisi.
Some 6700 electoral officials have been deployed throughout the country for the poll and count of the 2024 Joint Election.
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SOLOMON Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) Chairlady Taiasi Sanga has called on candidates and political parties with their supporters and voters to respect the counting process of the Joint National Elections, respect one another and not take law into their hands.
This comes as the counting of the 334 candidates contesting the 50 constituencies and 905 candidates contesting the seven provincial and Honiara City Council Wards, excluding Duidui Ward in South Guadalcanal, starts today.
The country experienced a peaceful and successful polling day.
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FOUR camps have emerged in Honiara ahead of the Prime Minister’s Election scheduled for Wednesday 8 May and each strategizing to ensure the success of their Prime Minister candidate.
Sources have confirmed that the Ownership, United, and Responsibility (OUR) Party, spearheaded by Manasseh Sogavare, has established its base at the Pacific Crown Hotel.
Despite an ambitious campaign, the OUR party which fielded 43 candidates, secured only 15 seats in the recent joint National Elections held on Wednesday 17 April.
In parallel, the tripartite Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE) headed by Matthew Wale has set up camp at the Heritage Park Hotel. CARE comprises the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP), Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and Umi 4 Change Party.
CARE has managed to secure 13 seats in the 12th Parliament despite having fielded 55 candidates and adopting a character assassination-driven campaign approach.
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MAY
THE re-elected Member of Parliament for Kia-Hograno-Havulei, Jeremiah Manele and the re-elected MP for Aoke-Langalanga, Matthew Wale have emerged as contenders for the nation’s top political job.
As of yesterday, Hon Manele’s camp has garnered the support of as many as 30 MPs in a new grouping known as the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation (CNUT), according insiders.
He was nominated by his protégé Manasseh Sogavare, Hon Manasseh Maelanga and Kadere Party’s Parliamentary leader, Jamie Vokia.
The opposite camp, headed by Hon Matthew Wale, is said to have the balance in the 50-member single Chamber Parliament.
Government House could not be contacted about who nominated MP Wale. Initially, it was MP Peter Kenilorea Jnr whose name was floated as the candidate for the opposite side.
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IT’S JEREMIAH MANELE
The Member of Parliament for Kia-Hograno-Havulei, Jeremiah Manele emerges victorious in the Prime Minister’s Election, receiving 31 votes cast in the secret ballot voting supervised by the Governor General Sir David Vunagi. Manele is the candidate of the Government for National Unity and Transformation coalition.
The other contender Matthew Cooper Wale MP polled 18 – three down from the number everyone thought he had. Wale is the candidate of the Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE), Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP) and the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA).
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Manele MP pulled 31 votes from the ballots conducted in secret ballot under the supervision of His Excellency Governor General Sir David Vunagi in Honiara yesterday. The other contender Matthew Cooper Wale MP polled 18 – three down from the number everyone thought he had.
Sir David announced the result to a waiting media as well as the nation as follows:
Spoilt Ballot – Nil
Absentee – 1 (Hon Freda Tuki, stranded in her Constituency).
Matthew Cooper Wale – 18
Jeremiah Manele – 31
“I therefore declare Hon Jeremiah Manele the Prime Minister-elect of Solomon Islands,” Sir David said.
Tuki is expected to join the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation (CNUT) when she arrives in Honiara over the weekend.
In accepting the result, Manele first thanked the people of Solomon Islands for electing Members of Parliament on 17th April, adding the people have spoken.
The MP for Hograno-Havulei Constituency is the 13th Prime Minister since Solomon Islands was granted political independence on 7th July 1978. Despite threats of violence and burning of properties the full house, minus one, rose to the occasion in electing Hon Manele.
NEWLY elected Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has assured the nation in his inaugural speech that he will at all times put the interest of Solomon Islands and its citizens above all other interests.
Upon his introduction by the Governor General Sir David Vunagi as the Prime Minister-elect of Solomon Islands on the eastern steps of Parliament, an impassioned Manele said, “I am very humbled by the trust that my fellow Members of Parliament have bestowed upon me.
“This is indeed a historic moment for my people of Isabel Province as well, to have one of their sons as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
“I will discharge my duties diligently and with integrity. I will at all times put the interest of our people and country above all other interests.”
Prime Minister Manele added that leading a nation is never an easy task and urged all citizens to remember him and his government in our prayers so they may serve as God commands. Manele is the candidate of the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) Coalition. GNUT comprises the Ownership, Unity, Responsibility (OUR) Party, Solomon Islands People’s First Party (SIPFP), Kadere and a group of Independent Members.
“My good people of Solomon Islands, I pledge my loyalty and fealty to our National Anthem, our Flag, the Constitution and our nation.”
Prime Minister Manele said the immediate task before his government is to appoint Cabinet and they will do that in the coming days.
He said the next business to attend to is the Parliament meeting when all Member of Parliament will take their oaths before electing the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
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JUNE
THE High Court hears the claim of the candidate of CARE-SIUP)-SIPRA for the Prime Ministership on May 2, Matthew Cooper Wale.
The Member of Parliament for Aoke-Langalanga, who has been reappointed as the Leader of Opposition after his unsuccessful bid for the top political leadership job, is seeking various legal declarations concerning the Prime Ministerial Election.
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FIVE Permanent Secretaries and the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister were sworn in by the Governor General (Acting) Patteson John Oti at the Government House.
The five sworn-in Permanent Secretaries include a new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), who is Allan Lilia. Mr Lilia was the Deputy Secretary Technical (DST) for the ministry since 2022.
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JULY
DIRECTION hearings on the 2024 Joint Election petition cases continued in the High Court.
A total of 26 members of the 12th Parliament are facing petitions and this represents more than half of the country’s 50-seat Parliament.
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PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele left for his first official visit to the People’s Republic of China yesterday afternoon.
This is his first official visit to China since his election as Prime Minister on May 2.
PM Manele announced in his 46th Independence anniversary speech yesterday morning that he would lead a high-level delegation to China in the afternoon and it would include several of his Cabinet Ministers
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THE Western Province has formally established sister relationship with the Fujian Province of the People’s Republic of China.
The sister relationship instruments were signed by the Governor of Fujian Province and Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Fujian Provincial Committee, Mr Zhao Long and the Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Wayne Ghemu on behalf of Solomon Islands Government and the Western Provincial Government was the main highlight of engagements by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and his high-level delegation following their arrival in Fujian on Tuesday morning to a red-carpet welcome.
The historical signing held in the evening was witnessed by the members of the Solomon Islands delegation and Fujian Provincial Government leaders and officials.
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CHINESE President Xi Jinping has expressed China’s readiness to enhance strategic communication with Solomon Islands so both countries can firmly support each other in a number of areas.
President Xi and Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele met in the Chinese Capital of Beijing on Friday last week.
Noting that China regards the Solomon Islands as a good friend, good partner and good brother, President Xi said China supports the Solomon Islands in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions and in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
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PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has expressed Solomon Islands interest in establishing a reciprocal visa arrangement with Japan for ordinary passport-holders, saying this will further strengthen the people-to-people relations between the two countries.
PM Manele articulated this in his bilaterial meeting with his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio at the margins of the 10th Japan Pacific Allies Leaders’ Summit in the Japanese Capital, Tokyo on Wednesday.
Prime Minister acknowledged Solomon Islands bilateral relationship with Japan which started since Solomon Islands attainment of nationhood in 1978.
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MALAITA Province has signed with its Chinese sister province of Jiangsu a three-year action plan that sets the stage for friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two provinces in wide-ranging areas.
The landmark plan was signed by the Premier of Malaita Province Elijah Asilaua and the Vice Governor of Jiangsu Provincial Government Fang Wei at the Chinese Embassy in Honiara on Monday.
The plan was put together after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the sister relationship between the two provinces in April this year.
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PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele and his high-level delegation to the People’s Republic of China signed a [Memorandum of] Understanding linking Solomon Islands National Development Strategy 2016-2035 with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
This was highlighted by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV) during his weeklong visit to China. The visit to China from July 8 to 15 was the PM’s second international engagement after assuming prime ministership.
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SOLOMON Islands three-tier security framework that was welcomed by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week during his discussions with his Solomon Islands counterpart Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will not affect Solomon Islands Security and Policing Pacts with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
This was stated by Prime Minister Manele in a press conference last Saturday upon his return from his state visit to Australia last week. The visit made upon the invitation of PM Albanese was the first ever overseas engagement embarked on by the Member of Parliament for Kia-Hograno-Havulei since his election to the top political job on May 2.
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THE People’s Republic of China will provide a grant exceeding $100 million dollars to finance the Auki Road Tar Sealing Project and other priority projects agreed to by Beijing and Honiara.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele announced this yesterday at a press conference upon his return to the country following his state visit to China and trip to Japan for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders’ Summit.
“I am very happy to inform you that during these meetings China confirmed it will provide grant funding exceeding $100 million dollars to finance the Auki Road tar sealing project and other priority projects agreed between the two governments.”
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PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has called on all parties of the 10th Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Tokyo, Japan, to renew their commitment to the Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.
He also called on all non-Parties to accede to the peaceful framework and to honor the treaty obligations.
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SOLOMON Islands Government’s (SIG’s) non-payment of the allowance of its sponsored students in the Philippines lands the students in trouble.
The students face a number of challenges, including restrictions from sitting exams due to unpaid tuition and eviction orders from landlords due to unpaid rentals.
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THE Governor General Sir David Vunagi commissions the country’s first High Commissioner to the Republic of India.
He is Anthony Makabo, the former Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
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THE High Court upholds the decision by the Governor General Sir David Vunagi for the 12th Parliament to convene for the election of the Prime Minister on May 2, despite acknowledging that the decision contravened Paragraph 1 (b) of Schedule 2 of the Constitution, which sets out a mandatory 4-day period from the delivery of candidate nomination papers to the election per se.
The Member of Parliament for Aoke-Langalanga Constituency, who was the CARE-SIUP-SIPRA candidate for the Prime Ministerial Election on May 2 challenged the Governor General’s decision after failing in his bid for the top political leadership post.
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AUGUST
PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has appealed to all key stakeholders to work with the national government to uncover innovative approaches to achieve a resilient, transformative and sustainable economic growth that embraces inclusive development principle of leaving no one behind.
He made the appeal in Honiara yesterday when opening a National Economic Summit convened by his Government for National Unity and Transformation in an effort to get the country out of its precarious economic status through innovative approaches to accomplish a transformative and sustainable economic growth that benefits all Solomon Islanders.
The two-day summit gathers key stakeholders from the private sector, state-owned enterprises, development partners and provincial governments to dialogue with the National Government to discuss the way forward.
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REVENUE collection appears to have hit a new low, with collection agencies such as Customs and Inland Revenue Service (IRS) almost always missing monthly targets set in the annual budget.
Insiders warned yesterday that the situation would only get worse. Consumers, they said, would pay more for goods and services in the coming months as the government look at new ways of raising money in order to meet payment of statutory charges.
Prices of food and other items such as fuel have skyrocketed in the last two months and there are fears this would only get worse.
One of the reasons for the spike in the cost of living is that the new Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has ignored the urgency to address potential revenue in extractive industries such as mining and logging.
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THE SUCCESS of the Malaita Provincial Government’s Fundamental Redirection Policy appears to have been rewarded with a massive injection of $170 million in grants for infrastructure development.
And there is more to come as Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) turns its attention to infrastructure development on Malaita, the nation’s most populous Province.
Other provinces also stand to benefit from China’s generosity through sister city relations, although details are not immediately available.
The $170 million in budgetary support from Beijing was announced during the July visit to China by Prime Minister Manele and his delegation. It was meant for the national government.
However, Cabinet is believed to have decided last week to offload the entire grant of $170 million on Malaita to pay for the cost of on-going infrastructure projects, including the cost of tar-sealing of the Auki Township Road.
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THE Miss Solomon Islands Pageant (MSIP) event for this year has been rescheduled due to lack of sponsorship and to allow focus on the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025 which will be hosted in Honiara, Solomon Host Director and MSIP Organizer Ms Joyce Konofilia said.
The MSIP pageant celebrates the talent and intelligence of young women between the age of 18-26 years of age in Solomon Islands.
The show for this year was initially scheduled for 30 and 31 August but has now been rescheduled for 23 and 24 August.
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THE Government has trained its guns on importers and owners of unlicensed wharves in a major crackdown announced by the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare.
Importers have been targeted for allegedly unloading consignments at undeclared seaport wharves. Operators of undeclared wharves have also been put on the radar in warning issued by Minister Sogavare on 8 August.
The Minister’s warning applies to “all business houses, licensed Customs Agents, NGOs, donor partners and individuals.”
“This means that goods imported from abroad and transported by ships into Solomon Islands will only be unloaded at any of the three declared international seaports, namely the two Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) ports in Honiara and at Noro (Western Province) and Leroy Wharf port at Ranadi, East Honiara,” Minister Sogavare warned in a press statement last Friday.
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IN an unprecedented move, Members of Parliament from Malaita Province have reconciled their differences and vowed to work together for the betterment of the province and the country as a whole.
The Malaita MPs yesterday held a reconciliation ceremony at the Paul Tovua Complex at the National Parliament to iron out their past differences and those during the recent National General Election.
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MALAITA PROVINCE today (15 August) celebrates its 41st Anniversary since the national government transferred legal powers to it to enact laws and ordnances.
Auki, the capital, is bursting at the seams as donors, government officials and ordinary folks descended on the township. And it seems even geopolitics showed its ugly face.
Premier Elijah Asilaua is expected to call on donors to work together rather than work against each other in a speech to mark the event.
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A SIX- YEAR-OLD kindergarten girl is currently recovering at the Gizo Hospital, Western Province, from stray dog-inflicted injuries.
The girl received wounds to her body after a pack of about ten stray dogs attacked her at around 5pm on Tuesday on the road along the Western Provincial Government Headquarters.
The victim is a student of the United Church Kindy in Gizo.
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THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Northwest Guadalcanal, Jamie Vokia, his wife Ethel and three others who were tried on the charges of conspiracy to defeat justice and interfere with a witness in relation to the 2019 National General Election have been acquitted on the ground of contradictory testimonies by the prosecution witnesses.
This was after Chief Magistrate Emma Garo found that MP Vokia, his wife and the three other co-accused—Rose Tala, a former Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly (MPA) member, Moses Beacon, and Polycarp Pereseni had no case to answer to on the charges of Conspiracy to Defeat Justice and Interference with a Witness.
CM Garo then ordered that the charge be dismissed and all five defendants acquitted.
“I find the defendants not guilty.
“I acquit all the defendants.”
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Miss Lauru Elsie Polosovai is the newly crowned Miss Solomon Islands after claiming the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant (MSIP) 2024 title over the weekend.
The six hours program was held on Saturday at the Pacific Crown Hotel (PCH) in Honiara.
New Zealand based Polosovai was crowned the winner after two days of event which commenced on Friday with a speech contest and float parade through Honiara city.
The climax of the program came on Saturday night where six contestants showcased their talents through a number of categories.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) currently acting Bradley Tovosia was the guest of honour.
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THE Western Provincial Capital of Gizo is bracing for mass clearance of stray dogs as responsible authorities have already ordered dog baits for the culling exercise.
This move comes in response to growing concerns over the increasing number of stray dogs in the provincial capital and the growing incidents of stray dog attacks on residents.
Speaking to Solomon Star in an interview, Gizo Town Clerk Charles Kelly said the Permanent Secretary (PS) of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Samson Viulu has already advised the Director of Livestock Division that the recommended dog bait will be purchased in Australia any time soon.
Mr Kelly said that as soon as the recommended dog bait is purchased, the Western Provincial Government Environment Division and MAL will conduct a two-week awareness in Gizo on the culling exercise.
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A MAN who miraculously survived a deadly attack by a crocodile at Tavagaua River in East Guadalcanal is slowly recovering at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) from serious wounds sustained during the horrific encounter.
The incident occurred at 3pm on Tuesday last week (20 August) when the survivor 36-year-old George Wale from Longu village and his wife attempted to cross the Tavagaua River on their return from a nearby village.
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THE Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA), trading as Solomon Water, has been removed from its status as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) in a bid by the National Government to revamp it as it has been struggling to provide much needed water services and projects to the public.
The Government announced this in a statement.
The statement said, “the Cabinet decision became effective on 26 August 2024 as part of the government’s efforts to revamp the Authority’s struggling performance in providing much-needed water services and projects to the public.”
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS Commission Solomon Islands (TCSI) has formally granted Starlink Solomon Islands Limited its class license allowing Starlink to engage in telecommunications services in the country.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to 102 countries. The subsidiary is owned by Elon Musk, a South African-born American entrepreneur and businessman.
The landmark signing was executed by TSCI Commissioner Calvin Ziru and Ryan Goodnight of Starlink Solomon Islands Limited at the TCSI office at Alvaro Building in Honiara yesterday. Mr Goodnight is one of the company’s senior directors responsible for licensing globally.
Mr Ziru said Solomon Islands is one of the countries in the Pacific region that have granted Starlink a license to engage in the provision of telecommunication services.
“The objective of course as you know is for people in Solomon Islands to be able to receive and benefit from the services that we can receive here through Starlink.
“The telecommunication service that Starlink provides is through low earth orbit satellites. Starlink and SpaceX’s satellites are in constellations and they travel at lower orbit and that allows for greater and faster connectivity. And the fact that Starlink is a formidable company in terms of size, it allows them to provide a large number of services to a large number of customers at the lowest possible price,” he explained.
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SEPTEMBER
THE National Referral Hospital (NRH) operating theatre is currently on an emergency mode and can only carry out emergency operations due to shortage of essential medical supplies and drugs.
The operating theatre was forced to scale down its operations due limited supplies required to carry out surgical operations.
The NRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr George Malefoasi confirmed the report where NRH’s operating theatre is only accepting emergency, accidents and referral cases.
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THE Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has announced a substantial AUD 250Million investment into the national infrastructure sector over the next 10 years.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele announced this at the opening of the 13th Australia- Solomon Islands Business Forum in Honiara.
“We are investing heavily in infrastructure through the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP), a commitment of AUD 250 million over 10 years. This program will improve our roads, ports and telecommunications, creating the backbone for economic activity and facilitating easier access to both local and international markets,” PM Manele underscored.
PM Manele said GNUT also allocates resources to agriculture- cocoa, coconut, and fisheries with the ultimate aim of not only meeting domestic needs but contribute to the national export economy.
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THE horrific incident which saw a dwelling house burned down with its owner inside in the Malaita Provincial Capital of Auki on Tuesday 3 September is described by police as a case of suicide.
The home was engulfed by fire around 5pm.
The unfortunate incident caught Auki residents and the public by surprise, leaving them with not much to do to help save the house and the deceased.
With the help of volunteers, police assisted the survivors and helped save valuable items of the affected family, it was revealed.
Speaking to the Solomon Star, Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Tex Tafoa said based on police investigation, the fire was deliberately lit by the deceased after he poured petrol inside and it subsequently killed him.
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THE Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey welcomes the High Court orders handed down last Friday by the Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, dismissing previous enforcement orders and claims by Pari Development Company over various land parcels in Noro, Western Province.
The matter dates back to 2012 when a previous Commissioner of Lands gave a 10-year Grant of Profit to the company, over several land parcels stretching over hundreds of hectares, comprising almost all of the remaining government-owned land around Noro town at that time.
The Commissioner of Lands then got the Registrar of Titles to cancel the Grant of Profit, and this led to the company filing a claim in the High Court in 2015 against this cancellation.
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A DIRECROR of Pari Development Company Ltd, Donald Pato, is demanding an explanation from the Commissioner of Lands (COL), Alan McNeil for allegedly calling him last Friday night after the company had lost a long running case over parcels of land in Noro, Western Province.
Mr McNeil allegedly made the call from Brisbane last Friday 6 September. He was with a government delegation on a week-long strategic engagement in Australia.
The call came through at 18:27pm (about 19:27pm Solomon Time) and lasted 37 seconds, according to Mr Pato.
The call came through on an Australian Mobile number [61 4141 36429], which Mr Bato said he had recorded.
“He called me by name saying, Donald, you lost the f…k case. Yes, you lost your f…k case, congratulations,” Mr Bato told Solomon Star yesterday.
“He (Alan McNeil) called me on my Solomon Islands’ mobile number (+677 779 3281).
“I could not believe what I was hearing. All I said was yes, I know. It is not the end, we are appealing the ruling,” Mr Bato said.
According to Mr Bato, the call related to the ruling in the High Court at 2:30pm in Honiara last Friday following the hearing on 4 August 2023.
Civil case No.169 of 2015 was between Pari Development Ltd (the Claimant) and the Attorney General (representing the Commissioner of Lands (1st Defendant) and the Registrar of Titles as the 2nd Defendant).
Mr Bato said the way the Commissioner presented himself in his telephone conversation was unbecoming of a senior public servant who in my view represents the government 24/7.
He said the Commissioner was shouting and he sounded like someone who has been drinking.
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THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Solomon Islands Government are joining other partners to help Solomon Islands transition to renewable energy with a transformational project, ADB’s Shane Rosenthal announced yesterday.
This project will accelerate renewable energy generation and battery storage system installation, support power sector reforms and promote private sector participation in the renewable energy generation.
“Poor access to clean and sustainable electricity and high electricity prices limits Solomon Islands opportunities for economic growth and prosperity. This project will reduce dependency on expensive fossil fuel imports and constitute an important milestone for Solomon Islands on its transition to renewable energy.
“It will install additional solar capacity in the country and deliver the largest grid-connected battery storage system in the Pacific, which is a crucial first step in expanding grid-connected renewable energy through private sector investment,” ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office Regional Director Mr Rosenthal said.
The project is funded by a $10 million concessional loan and a $5 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, which provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries.
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THE establishment of the fourth Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Campus in Malaita Province holds profound economic and social significance to the province itself and the nation at large.
That’s according to the SINU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Transform Aqorau when delivering his remarks at the roundtable dialogue between Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and development partners in Honiara.
Dr Aqorau said Malaita, as one of the most populated provinces in the country, is home to a large youth demography, many of whom face barriers to accessing higher educational and vocational training opportunities.
He said historically, the province has been underserved in terms of infrastructure and development opportunities, despite its rich cultural heritage and agricultural potential.
“The economic benefits of establishing this new campus are considerable. We can foster local talent and create a pipeline of skilled workers to contribute to the development of Malaita’s economy,” Dr Aqorau said.
“Socially, the Malaita campus will be a catalyst for community upliftment and social cohesion. By decentralizing tertiary education, we can bring higher learning to the doorstep of rural communities, making education more inclusive and equitable.
“This will also help to reduce social disparities between Malaita and other provinces,” he added.
Dr Aqorau said the Malaita SINU campus will focus on areas like agriculture, fisheries, sustainable development and entrepreneurship.
“These are directly aimed at empowering youths to become productive contributors to their communities, reduce urban migration and stimulate economic activities within the province.
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AS Solomon Islands’ ‘nambawan’ education partner, Australia will provide a record-breaking 100 new Australia Awards to Solomon Islands over the next 12 months.
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy made the announcement at a private function during his visit to Solomon Islands this week.
Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Tozen Leokana and Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia joined Minister Conroy for the announcement.
“This is the largest cohort under the Australian Awards in Solomon Islands history and is aimed at supporting Solomon Islanders to have the skills and qualifications they need to get jobs and help grow the economy,” Minister Conroy said.
Minister Conroy announced that this will give fifty Solomon Islanders the opportunity to study at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and another fifty to participate in fit-for-purpose Short Courses at Australian Universities.
The decision to offer short courses was in direct response to a request from the Solomon Islands Government.
This new announcement builds on the 550 Solomon Islanders who have already completed tertiary studies in Australia.
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A CHILD died in a fire-razed home in Central Guadalcanal after being trapped and efforts to save her failed.
The heart-wrenching incident occurred at night on Sunday 22 September just next to the Tenaru Bridge and it plunged the community into a state of shock and mourning.
The child, a girl in the 5-7 age range was allegedly asleep with her other siblings and their mother when the fire broke out and was trapped inside the house, while her other siblings and mother escaped.
The fire, which was said to have started unexpectedly, quickly engulfed the structure of the small house, leaving no time at all for a rescue attempt by neighbors.
The child’s body was recovered an hour later and rushed to the National Referral Hospital along with her mother and siblings who suffered serious burn wounds.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. However, there are reports circulating that an elderly man who was under the influence of liquor may have started it.
The Henderson police refused to provide any detailed information about the incident when they were rung yesterday by Solomon Star.
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SOLOMON Islands has registered its interest to broaden its partnership and bilateral cooperation with Indonesia in new areas.
Head of the Solomon Islands delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka and his Indonesian counterpart, Retno L.P Marsudi met in New York and discussed ongoing partnerships and new opportunities of mutual benefit.
Minister Agovaka registered Solomon Islands interest to engage in new areas, including facilitation of an air services agreement during a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Indonesia.
Foreign Minister Agovaka expressed Solomon Islands hopes to improve direct connectivity with Indonesia and to have more people-to-people exchanges through the proposed Air Service Agreement.
Both leaders also discussed proposed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Women empowerment and child protection.
Other areas covered during the bilateral meeting included reciprocal Visa waiver for ordinary passport holders, cattle and Oil Palm sector, Cooperation in education and culture, people to people exchange, trade, policing cooperation, sports and climate change.
Minister Agovaka acknowledged Indonesia’s funding assistance towards the multi- million-dollar Friendship Hall which has contributed immensely to Solomon Islands ability to host international sporting events and has greatly improved the face of Honiara city.
Solomon Islands relations with Indonesia is managed by the Embassy of Solomon Islands in Jakarta.
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GUADALCANAL Province Premier Willie Atu has hailed the bilaterial relations between Solomon Islands and China, acknowledging the infrastructure transformational changes that it brought about in Honiara.
Premier Atu praised the 5-year-old SI-Sino relations when a delegation from Jiangmen City of the People’s Republic of China’s Guangdong Province paid a courtesy call on him and his executive at the Guadalcanal Provincial headquarters in Honiara yesterday (25 September).
The premier took the opportunity to highlight the transformative projects that China embarked on in Honiara since its establishment of ties with Solomon Islands in 2019.
He said Guadalcanal Province is rated as one of the poorest provinces of Solomon Islands by a World Bank assessment report in 2013 and the province wants to change this situation around, adding that the Guadalcanal-Guangdong sister relations will bail it out from this state.
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OCTOBER
SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has credited a total of $128,726,582 to its members as of 30 September 2024.
This comes after Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare officially announced a crediting rate of 4 percent for SINPF’s members for the financial year ending 30 June 2024.
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PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele inaugurates the new Solomon Islands Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Capital Abu Dhabi, dubbing it as a ‘bridge of friendship’ that will translate into win-win outcomes.
From a modest diplomatic relation in 2010 to today’s permanent presence, the Embassy has evolved as a proud symbol of the enduring Solomon Islands- UAE partnership.
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THE HIGH COURT has awarded medical doctor Reginald Aipia more than $41 million in damages for “wrongful arrest, detention and imprisonment”.
Judge Emannuel Kouhota, who made the ruling, said he had reduced the initial claim of $50 million because the decision on this was made many years back.
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THE much-awaited implementation of the SBD120 million Japanese Government-funded Projects for the improvement and expansion of the Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita Province commences.
The groundbreaking ceremony for this pivotal project was attended by a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Miwa Yoshiaki and other officials from the Japanese Embassy in Honiara, officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Kitano Construction Corporation and Fukunaga Architects Engineers and Malaita Provincial Government along with landowners and members of the Kilu’ufi Hospital Community.
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COMMISSIONER of Police (COP) Mostyn Mangau dismisses allegations of kidnapping and missing persons in Honiara.
This comes after Deputy Police Commissioner Vaevasao confirmed to the media that one individual was missing and one person has been arrested in connection with an attempted abduction
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THE Motion of No-Confidence filed against the Western Provincial Premier Billy Veo is defeated.
After more than four hours of debate, all the 26 Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) went through an open ballot voting on the floor of the Assembly where the names of all the MPAs were called out one-by-one.
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NOVEMBER
The Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) Solomon Islands is officially launched at the Heritage Park Hotel.
The European Union, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the United Nations Capital Development Funds (UNCDF), under the leadership of the Solomon Islands Government mobilised over USD$18 million in 2008 to launch the Provincial Governance Strengthening Program with a performance-based component of Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).
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THE radiography service at the Gizo Hospital in the Western Provincial Capital is down due to technical issues with its only x-ray machine.
This was confirmed to Solomon Star by the Western Provincial Health Director Dr Dickson Boara.
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THE European Union (EU) pledges to support the Bina Harbor Tuna Processing Plant project, aligning its support with the Solomon Islands Government’s push for transformative economic infrastructure development.
This is one of the key outcomes of a meeting between the Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), Rexon Ramofafia and the EU’s new Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Barbara Plinkert in Honiara.
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THE Minister for Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare slams a statement issued by the Opposition Leader Matthew Wale along with documents on two exemptions worth $29,280,190.71 million that were granted to Wan Cheng Company.
Wan Chen Company is owned by Chinese businessman Harry Chen, who also operates Goodwood Wharf, TBC Hardware Ltd and Injoy Restaurant.
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DEPUTY Prime Minister Tovosia has denied media reports he is behind moves to sack six senior ministers, including the East Malaita Member of Parliament Manasseh Maelanga.
DPM Tovosia described as “busybodies” the unnamed sources quoted in the Island Sun newspaper article titled ‘Looming GNUT Sacks.’
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LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale says the recent revelations of OUR Party’s offshore business account in Singapore is ‘shocking’.
Wale described it as a tragic example of leaders selling the sovereignty of Solomon Islands to foreigners for 30 pieces of silver.
He made this comment following an online investigative media piece from In-depth Solomons revealing Our Party’s offshore business account named ‘OUR INTERNTIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND PTE. LTD’.
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DECEMBER
THE solidarity of Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s seven-month-old Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) will be tested when the Motion of No-Confidence (MONC) filed by the Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo (GDL) will be tabled and voted on.
The Clerk to Parliament, Jeferson Hallu confirmed to Solomon Star last night that the MP for Central Honiara and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee filed the MONC notice at 4pm Friday 6 December
Mr Hallu also confirmed that the Speaker had already received a copy of the notice.
He further confirmed that the notice will sit before parliament for seven clear days and hence by December 12, it will mature and can be moved on December 13.
The motion states that, “the National Parliament of Solomon Islands resolves that it has no confidence in the Prime Minister.”
The reasons for the motion will be made known when the MONC is tabled but the issues raised by the opposition and the independent groups over the past weeks, such as tax exemptions, including the saga, the precarious state of government revenue, are certain to be included in the list of reasons.
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PARLIAMENT passed the 2025 budget after looking through it at the Committee of the Whole House Stage, paving the way for the Motion of No Confidence [MONC] in the GNUT leadership to be debated.
The Budget – with a total expenditure of $5.151.9 billion also carries a record deficit of nearly $1.3 billion. It was passed by Parliament yesterday afternoon. Until then, there were speculations the MONC could be further delayed as its debate is subject to the passage of the Budget.
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THE Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo was prompted to withdraw the Motion of No Confidence against seventh-month-old Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Monday 16 December after his request for a deferment of the motion was refused and moreover, support for the motion retracted.
MP Lilo on the night of Sunday 15 December wrote to the Speaker of Parliament John Patteson Oti and Prime Minister Manele seeking approval for the deferment of the MONC to Wednesday 18 December.
His request was based on a gentlemen arrangement he made with the government last week when he had the right to move the motion on Friday but had to defer it for Monday 16 December to allow for the passage of the 2025 Budget.
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THE South Pacific’s largest domestic seaport passenger terminal building was commissioned in Honiara, signifying the ambitious efforts by the country’s leading State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) – Solomon Islands Ports Authourity- to ensure the modernity of its services.
The new terminal building, which stands at the center of the Honiara main wharf, costs a little more than SBD100million and it took the Solomon Islanders engaged in the project 20 months to deliver the magnificent product.
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THE Honiara- Beijing Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Solomon Islands and Chinese citizens holding an ordinary passport came into force as of 28 December.
This means any Solomon Islands citizen holding a valid ordinary passport is exempted from visa requirement for entry into, exit from or transit through the territory of China, for a single stay not exceeding 30 days and for a cumulative period of stay not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day-period. The same treatment is accorded to any citizen of China holding an ordinary passport when entering, exiting from or transiting through the territory of Solomon Islands.
Any citizen of either country intending to stay in the territory of the other Contracting Party for a period exceeding the above-mentioned length or engage in employment, study, residence, media activities, or other activities which require prior approval from the competent authorities of the other Contracting Party, shall apply for an appropriate visa before entering the territory of the other Contracting Party.
After entry into the territory of the other Contracting Party, if any citizen is unable to exit from the territory within the visa exempted period due to force majeure, he/she shall apply for the extension of his/her period of stay to the local competent authorities with relevant proof materials.
Earlier in 2022, Honiara and Beijing signed the Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports and Passports for Public Affairs.
With the new visa exemption agreement now in force, all citizens of Solomon Islands and China can enjoy the convenience of visa exemption arrangement.
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