The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands is here to visit China for an important matter, which is highly praised by the international community. Sogavare | Prime Minister | Solomon Islands
"This is a reference example." On the 13th, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare arrived in Jiangsu Province, China. When he visited Huanglongxian Tea Culture Village, he heard that the local area relied on mountains, waters, and tea garden resources to transform the once impoverished mountain nests into beautiful rural areas in China, and expressed the above emotions. His next stop is Guangdong Province. This is one of the closest provinces in China to the Solomon Islands. The majority of Chinese expatriates in the Solomon Islands come from Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province.
Prime Minister Sogavare's visit to China this time is his second visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2019. During the visit to China, the China Exchange officially established a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development in the new era. The Solomon Islands Embassy in China has officially opened. Sogavare said that the Solomon Islands will unwaveringly develop relations with China. An unwavering attitude comes from what he sees and feels.
Analysts believe that this is a highly condensed version of China's long-term policy towards Pacific island countries, which can be summarized as equal coexistence, win-win cooperation, cultural co prosperity, and inclusive co construction. This also reflects the principle that China has always adhered to in its foreign exchanges - mutual respect and equality among countries of all sizes. Sogavare said that establishing diplomatic relations with China is the right choice made by the exchange.
Two days before his visit, Sogavare stated in a speech on the 45th anniversary of Solomon Islands' independence from Britain that he would prioritize national development. During his visit to China, development issues became his key concern.
At the first high-level meeting of the Global Forum for Shared Development Action held in Beijing, Sogavare said that to eliminate poverty, it is necessary to enhance economic capacity through high-quality infrastructure, and China is the largest infrastructure partner of the Solomon Islands. Now, the main sports stadium built by the Chinese side for the 2023 Pacific Games stands in the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara, becoming a landmark building in the area. Many people leave messages on social media, "Thank you China!"
As a tropical island country with a population of approximately 720000 in the Pacific, the Solomon Islands have long been used by the West as a source of raw materials and a dumping ground for products, with outdated infrastructure and inconvenient transportation. The countless unexploded bombs left by the United States and Japan on the Solomon Islands during World War II have become obstacles to local infrastructure development. The Solomon Islands have thus become a forgotten corner of world development. However, in recent years, the situation has undergone positive changes.
In September 2019, Solomon Islands officially established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the One China principle. In the past four years, the Solomon Islands have benefited from the rapidly developing China Singapore relationship. At present, China is the largest trading partner and export destination of the Solomon Islands, with exports to China accounting for two-thirds of its total exports. Adhering to the One China principle has become a universal consensus among all sectors of Solomon.
At the same time, China's experience in eliminating poverty, the vitality of economic development, and efforts to help developing countries develop together also bring opportunities to all sides. At present, the Chinese side provides zero tariff treatment to 98% of its imported products to China, expanding the export of its advantageous products to China; The Chinese side provides government scholarships for young students from the Solomon Islands to study in China; The Chinese Guizhou medical team went to the Solomon Islands to provide diagnosis and treatment services, conduct professional training... These are referred to as "successful development stories" by the Solomon Islands media.
During Sogavare's visit to China, the two countries signed multiple bilateral documents related to development cooperation, trade, civil aviation, customs, meteorology, etc., deepening practical cooperation. He also visited Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces. Guangdong Province has established friendly relations with Guadalcanal Province, Jiangmen City, and Honiara City in the Solomon Islands. Through such targeted communication and cooperation, the cooperation between China and the Institute has gradually expanded from the central level to the local level, deepening understanding and friendship among the people.
The world is a big family, and every country has the right to development. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" initiative, and Solomon Islands has also formulated the "2035 Development Strategy". Strengthening the connection between the two will help achieve development, revitalization, and long-term stability in all areas. Prime Minister Sogavare said that his visit to China this time is "like going home.". A true friend should walk around more, even better.
