THREE years after the burning down of the Chinatown area, in Central Honiara, the old HM Long Building situated near the Chinatown bus stop which has been rebuilt is now opening its doors.
Renamed as ‘Times Square’ of Honiara, several retail businesses are now operating on the ground floor of the three storey complex.
The old two storey complex was razed to ashes in November 2021.
The completion of a new ‘Time Square’ signifies that businesses are slowing returning to Chinatown.
The building is now accommodating housed Chinese shops and offices.
One of the shops also opening its door at the new complex is ‘Red Shed’ which offers local customers the opportunity to buy quality home and household products.
Chinatown has been considered as a ghost town for the past four years.
During that riot many Chinese families and individuals have lost their properties and businesses.
Most of them were homeless while some fled the country for their safety to China.
The riot was condemned by the Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA).
The riot took place from 24 to 27 November 2024 after a peaceful protest march to the National Parliament by people in this country who was demanding the former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to step down.
Media reports revealed that this riot was also fuelled by a switch that Solomon Islands made from Taiwan to People’s Republic of China (PRC).
China town was not the only town that was burnt down by the 2021 rioters, some towns that were also burnt down to ashes including Kukum, Ranadi and Burns Creek in East of Honiara.
Most of the Chinatown areas are still to rebuild their businesses.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
