Western Provincial Premier Billy Veo has visited China’s Fujian Province as part of deepening their new found sister relationship.
Both provinces struck up their ties early this year and the visit by Premier was the first for him to meet with the Fujian provincial administration.
Mr. Zhao Long, Governor of Fujian Provincial People’s Government met with the delegation, and reached consensus with the Premier on deepening sister-province cooperation, a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy of Solomon Islands said.
During his stay, Premier Veo visited China-Pacific Island Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, fishing factories, tea workshops and villages to discuss poverty alleviation practices with friends from Fujian, the statement said.
The visit by Premier Veo also coincided with a visit led by Deputy Director General of Foreign Affairs for the Fujian Provincial People’s Government, Chen Guoquan.
He led the delegation to Gizo and emphasised the importance of sharing Fujian’s remarkable journey in addressing and overcoming poverty.
“As a sister province to the Western Province, Fujian aims to strengthen ties through knowledge exchange, cultural collaboration and economic cooperation. These initiatives are designed to create long-term benefits for both regions while addressing the shared goal of poverty eradication,” Mr Chen added.
Mr Chen underscored the broader significance of these partnerships.
“Through collaboration, we can achieve shared prosperity and ensure that no one is left behind. Fujian’s experiences demonstrate how unity and strategic planning can lead to transformative outcomes,” he said.
The China Team-Fujian team took a one-day trip to Gizo and paid a courtesy call on the Western Provincial Government (WPG).
Acting Prmier Brian Lotikeni met the delegation because Premier Veo was out of the country at time.
The delegation also visited Mile 6 to see the cattle farm and poultry project.
Fujian Province is renowned for its remarkable development progress into a model for reform and development over the past 70 years.
Fujian has made great strides in poverty alleviation. As of the end of 2019, the province had lifted 1.1 million people from 2,201 villages out of poverty and delisted 23 poor counties from the poverty list.
It has made steady progress in providing better access to childcare, education, medical services, elderly care, housing and social assistance over the past five years, in turn significantly improving the living standards of its citizens.
Premier Veo was accompanied by the Provincial Secretary Patrick Toiraena and other officials.
