By Loretta B Manele
China will stay committed and make every effort to expedite the working progress of the China-aid Auki Road project.
Chinese ambassador to Solomon Islands, Cai Weiming expressed this whilst speaking at the official signing ceremony of the Implementation Agreement of the China-aid Auki Road project in Malaita province at the Chinese embassy on Sunday, 24th Nov.
The signing was done by the ambassador and Manasseh Maelanga, the minister for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
He said the agreement clarifies the details for implementation and duties of the two sides and will lay a solid foundation for the next phase of this critically important project.
Weiming stated that since the signing of exchange letters of the project last month, significant progress has been made.
He said two weeks ago, a professional survey team from China travelled to Auki to conduct exploration and design work.
“They worked very hard in Auki and will soon finish the preliminary design work. Then they will return to work on detailed design to prepare for the implementation of the project”
He expressed that the positive progress of the project once again proves China’s firm support for the development of Malaita and their commitment to the friendship between China and Solomon Islands.
Weiming highlighted that infrastructure and cooperation is an important part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Solomon Islands.
He added that since the establishment of diplomatic relationship, we have made remarkable achievements and built a series of landmark projects under the guidance of Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.
Weiming said these projects include the national stadium which has become the new landmark of Honiara City, the new dormitories for the students at SINU and the construction of National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Centre which is expected to be completed in January next year.
The Auki Road project is said to be the next big project of the China-Solomon Islands cooperation.
“China will keep its commitment and make every effort to expedite the working progress”
Weiming said they look forward to jointly working with MID, Malaita province and other related parties to implement the project and make it a joint success.
