ISABEL Province and the Shandong Province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will pave the way for the establishment of sister relationship between the two provinces.
Signing the MoU on behalf of Solomon Islands government was the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Wayne Ghemu and the Deputy Governor of Shandong Province, Zeng Zanrong.
Witnessing the signing were Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and the Governor of Shandong Province Zhou Naixiang.
Prior to the signing, a bilateral discussion was held between PM Manele and Governor Naixiang. During the talks, the Prime Minister acknowledged Shandong’s leadership in the agriculture sector.
Prime Minister further acknowledged Shandong’s coastal city of Qingdao’s remarkable GDP of 1.57 trillion which places the city at the 13th place amongst cities in China.
PM Manele made special acknowledgement of three Members of Parliament from Isabel Province, including himself, who were present to witness the signing of the MOU.
He said it was a special moment for them.
PM Manele when acknowledging Shandong’s leadership in the agriculture sector, highlighted that Solomon Islands is agricultural sector heavily reliant country.
However, he said people in Solomon Islands need to gradually shift from subsistence farming to commercial undertakings in order to maximize the full potential of the agriculture sector.
PM Manele acknowledged the offer of scholarships for students of Isabel Province by the Shandong Province, the details of which will be pursued once authorities on both sides- Isabel Provincial Government and Shandong Provincial Government- work together on its rollout.
PM Manele said the sub- national relations is important as far as people-to-people connections is concerned, adding that within that sister relationship framework other areas of common interests can be pursued such as fisheries, tourism and agriculture.
He pledged his government’s support to ensure the process to achieve sister relationship status with Shandong Province will come to fruition as soon as possible.
PM Manele further highlighted that it is his government’s intention to ensure all the nine provinces in Solomon Islands have sister relationships with provinces in China, adding that it is a commitment that his government will continue to pursue.
The Prime Minister also offered an overview of his meetings with both Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping to Shandong’s Governor Naixiang during their bilateral talks.
Yesterday, PM Manele and delegation visited the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute (YSFRI), Qingdao Fully Automated Container Terminal and Qingdao Allheart Marine Co. Ltd.
(PM’S PRESS SECRETARIAT/SOLSTAR)
