BY NED GAGAHE
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Rick Houenipwela has begun his first official visit to China, with the aim to strengthen bilateral relations and expand development cooperation between the two countries.
The visit commenced on Friday, July 10, with Mr Houenipwela’s first stop in Jiangsu Province, the sister province of Malaita Province, MFAET said in a statement yesterday.
In Jiangsu, Minister Houenipwela met with Vice Governor Zhao Yan and provincial foreign affairs officials to discuss cooperation in agriculture, education, technology and skills development.
He also held talks with representatives of Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co. Ltd on the potential for renewable energy-powered seawater desalination projects in Solomon Islands.
Mr Houenipwela will continue his visit in Beijing, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao to discuss bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation.
The ministry said the visit demonstrates Solomon Islands’ commitment to strengthening its economic and development partnership with China, which remains the country’s largest trading partner despite the current global economic and political environment.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Mr Houenipwela’s visit, from July 10 to 15, is being undertaken at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Mao said China and Solomon Islands have enjoyed rapid growth in relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 2019 and are comprehensive strategic partners committed to mutual respect and common development.
She said this is Mr Houenipwela’s first official visit to China since taking office and expressed confidence that the visit will strengthen political trust, deepen practical cooperation and further advance bilateral relations for the benefit of both countries.
Photo credit: MFAET
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