BY CHRIS ALEX

David Bogese, AKA (also known as) Young Davie, is the winner of the “China Through My Lens” Film Competition.

This was announced at a special ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy in Honiara on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 where Bogese received the first prize, a cash award of 2,000 Solomon Dollars (SBD).

His winning short film documents his personal journey to China, captures the essence of Chinese daily life and showcases the deep ties between China and Solomon Islands.

The film offers a unique perspective on China and highlights not only its development but also the people-to-people connections that continue to grow between the two countries.

Speaking to local media after receiving the award, Bogese expressed his gratitude and excitement.

“I feel happy, honored, and humble to be the winner of this competition.

“This was a rare initiative that I’ve never participated in before, and it was a privilege to be part of it,” he said.

Bogese explained that his goal was to present a more balanced and personal view of China.

“Basically, I just wanted to show my online followers what China is through my lens. We’re already fed up with some of the negative portrayals.

“My short video tries to put China not only as an aid provider but as a friend a door for opportunities, especially for us as a developing country,” he said.

In addition to celebrating his win, Bogese reflected on the broader importance of digital storytelling.

“I’ve also learned that content creation is very important in today’s digital age.

“China is so influential through digital means, and I hope our country will reach this pace when the time is right,” he said.

The “China Through My Lens” competition aims to encourage young Solomon Islanders to share their personal experiences and insights into China through short films and videos.

This initiative is part of ongoing cultural and diplomatic exchanges between the two nations.

Bogese’s win marks a milestone for youth voices in the Solomon Islands, highlighting the power of creative expression in building mutual understanding and showcasing opportunities beyond borders.

BY CHRIS ALEX

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Solomon Islands hosted an official award ceremony on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 to recognise six outstanding recipients of the film competition ‘China Through My Lens’, an initiative designed to highlight individuals’ personal experiences and reflections on China.

The competition invited Solomon Islanders to share their real-life encounters in China through short films, showcasing how they see and understand China beyond mainstream narratives.

PRC Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Cai Weiming expressed deep appreciation for the participants’ creativity and effort.

“I wish to thank the participants who took time and effort to create and submit videos. Your enthusiasm and unique viewpoints have made this competition vibrant and successful.

“These stories contribute significantly to furthering mutual understanding between our two peoples,” said the ambassador.

He stated that after personally viewing the submissions over recent days, he was moved by the powerful depictions of people-to-people connections and the educational journeys of Solomon Islanders in China.

“These videos captured the essence of firsthand experiences real faces, real stories and reflect how Solomon Islanders are embarking on meaningful educational paths in China,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony was Solomon Islands Ambassador to China, HE Barrett Salato, who praised the competition for giving voice to true, unfiltered experiences of China.

Salato reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ appreciation for China’s contributions across multiple sectors of national development, highlighting the strength of the diplomatic relationship established in 2019 based on mutual respect, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Personal experiences with Chinese culture, technology, and community life were the main highlights of the winning video entries.

The competition continues to serve as a platform for cross-cultural storytelling, promoting people-to-people diplomacy and a deeper understanding between China and the Pacific.

The “China Through My Lens” video competition is part of a regional initiative for Pacific Island Countries, jointly organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association and Global Times Online.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Five police personnel from the Honiara Police Response Team (PRT) are conducting a public order management and requalification training for police in Auki, Malaita Province this week. 

This training is focused on uplifting and supporting police officers in their abilities to match public order management and requalification processes. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, the training is of importance as it will benefit and support his officers with current public order management regulations. 

He said according to policy, every officer has to undergo requalification training every 12 months. 

“As we have overheard, our officers are now in the police training session with the five PRT officers from Honiara.

“In our policy, after every twelve months, we will have requalification training. This is to refresh and strengthen the abilities of police officers in upholding policies and handling and using equipment, such as sprays,” said Superintendent Ramosaea.

One other thing officers will be assisted in through the training getting to know when and when not to use police equipment.

Superintendent Ramosaea added that failure to comply with the guidelines regarding the equipment and unnecessary use of equipment is a crime. 

He stressed that if any police officer is found using such equipment by unnecessary means, he or she can be arrested and put in jail.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

The Waitoto community in Maramasike Passage, southern part of Malaita Province, is set to benefit from a six-day training on honey bees, piggery and tilapia this week. 

According to Malaita’s Senior Fisheries Officer in Auki, Mathew Isihanua, the training started on Monday, August 4 and will end on Saturday, August 9. 

He said the training comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). 

Isihanua explained that the training aims to support members of the Apunepara Conservation with alternative livelihood activities.

He mentioned that the training has reached Southern Malaita following requests from the Apunepara Tribal Conservation Association. 

“This training comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and it was the Apunepara Tribal Conservation Association that requested it,” he said.

He added that during the first two days of the training, participants learned a lot from the theoretical side of the training.

“The participants have learned a lot during the first two days of theory training. Topics covered during the two days included bee keeping, pig farming and husbandry, and tilapia farming,” he said.

He stated that they also learned how to formulate feed for bees, pigs, and tilapia.

Isihanua said today, Thursday, August 7, 2025, they will continue the training and focus on pig husbandry, production parameters of pig farming, and integration methods of tilapia farming and value adding.

The Fisheries Senior Officer encourages rural communities in Malaita Province to engage their youths and adults in such trainings.

The six-day training is funded by the Apunepara Tribal Conservation Association, Waitoto community, in the southern region of Malaita Province.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Police in Auki, Malaita Province will attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bina/Talifu beneficiaries at Buma Catholic Station today.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said police presence during the meeting is vital to avoid any disturbances.

He said the AGM is a crucial part of the process and a way forward for Bina Harbour project, thus, should not be disturbed.

“Our team will be deployed to Buma Catholic Station to attend the AGM on Thursday, 7th, and they will conduct a high-profile operation during the AGM,” he said.

“This is to prevent any unwanted disturbances during the meeting,” he added.

Ramosaea mentioned that hundreds of people from Honiara will be coming to attend the meeting.

“About hundreds of people from Honiara will be coming to attend the meeting. So, the police won’t want anyone or any group to cause arguments that disturb the meeting,” he said. 

The Police Commander appeals to the people of West Kwaio and Kwara’ae, or elsewhere, who claim to be the owners of the land to step aside and let the meeting commence.

He added that the Bina Harbour development is what is needed in the province and everyone should respect its due processes. 

“I want to appeal to my good people of West and East Kwaio, and Kwara’ae, or any group claiming to be the owners of the land, to step aside and let the meeting flow.

“The Bina Harbour project is a national project that will benefit all the people of Malaita Province,” he said. 

He added that the police will not tolerate the arrest of anyone or any group that causes disturbance during the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Guadalcanal provincial government assures that they will work closely with Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) to boost fisheries sector in the province.

Speaking during the recent Guadalcanal province 41st Second Appointed Day celebration, Premier of Guadalcanal province, William Atu highlighted the effort of the province behind the sector.

In terms of fishery sector, the fishery divisions continue to implement key programmes across Guadalcanal province with support from MFMR.

“There are ongoing projects on aquaculture development and community-based fishery resources management to strengthen conservation and improve livelihoods.

“Recent initiatives include tilapia farming training in Tetekanji ward, turtle monitoring and livelihood consultations in Bota, Moli ward and community awareness visits from Savulei to Tangarare in west Guadalcanal.

“These activities support the province’s policy objective of establishing a network of community managed marine areas,” he said.

Atu also highlighted the effort of the province through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) program on fisheries sector in the province.

He stated Guadalcanal province through its fisheries division has recommended increased technical training and provisions of aquaculture materials through PCDF award grants.

Atu said this will be a greater budget support to strengthen coastal fisheries management and support fish farms in the province.

In the meantime, he encourages people in Guadalcanal province to work together with their Members of Parliament (MP) to support and improve the sector.

Atu said fisheries is among other vital production sectors that will contribute by boosting the economy of the province.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Guadalcanal province, William Atu acknowledges the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through agents in west Guadalcanal for a proposal to provide shipping service to farmers in West Guadalcanal.

Speaking at the recent Guadalcanal 41st Second Appointed Day celebration, he said the support comes in-line with initiatives the province is exploring.

“The Guadalcanal provincial government is actively exploring ways to support transportation of agricultural produce from rural Guadalcanal to Honiara markets,” said Atu.

This is especially through reliable and affordable shipping services.

Atu mentioned that during their awareness program in the province, transportation was one of the key challenges raised by people.

Especially by cocoa and coconut farmers, who depend only on ships to transport their produce to Honiara to sell.

The Premier sincerely thanks the agriculture ministry for a proposal of monthly shipping services set to benefit Duidui ward in South Guadalcanal and cover all of west Guadalcanal constituency.

He stressed that this is a positive step to ensure farmers get their goods to the market in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Atu said while his government applauds the proposed initiative, they’re also looking forward for the same service in East Guadalcanal.

The premier stated that his government is proud of the proposal and will continue to explore ways to ensure farmers have access to transport to bring their produce to markets in Honiara.

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