BY TONY IROGA

The partnership between China’s Jiangsu Province and Malaita Province is creating new opportunities for women and students through education and economic empowerment.

Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Alfred Lazarus Rimah highlighted this during a ceremony attended by Jiangsu Province Vice Governor Zhao Yan and Malaita Premier Elijah Asilaua at Mendana Hotel on June 24.

Rimah said the growing relationship demonstrates how international cooperation can directly improve the lives of ordinary Solomon Islanders.

The event, themed “Together Towards Shared Growth” marked the presentation of scholarships and donations of sewing machines to support women in Malaita Province.

Rimah expressed that the gathering is much more than a donation ceremony as it is also a celebration of enduring friendship, mutual trust and shared commitment to improving the lives of people.

He said the sewing machines will help women establish small businesses, generate household income and strengthen their families and communities.

“When women are economically empowered, families become stronger, communities become more resilient and provinces become more prosperous,” he said.

Rimah said the programme is the first practical outcome of the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Malaita Provincial Government and Jiangsu Provincial Government on June 19, covering cooperation in agriculture, trade, education, cultural exchanges and people’s wellbeing.

He also welcomed Jiangsu Province’s continued support for scholarships, describing education as one of the most valuable investments in the country’s future.

Addressing the scholarship recipients, Rimah urged them to pursue their studies with discipline and return home to contribute to the development of their communities.

He thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Jiangsu Province, the Chinese Embassy and the Malaita Provincial Government for supporting the initiative.

“Together, let us continue working hand in hand towards our shared mission of peace, partnership, prosperity and a stronger Solomon Islands,” he said.

Photo credit: Tony Iroga

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY TONY IROGA

Seven students from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) left Honiara over the weekend to take part in the first University of Melbourne Winter School Programme in Australia.

The two-week programme runs from June 28 to July 12 and brings together 75 students from nine universities across Asia and the Pacific.

Students will attend academic masterclasses, join group learning activities, take part in field trips, and experience studying at an international university.

In a statement posted on their Facebook page yesterday, SINU said the students are the first group from the university to join the programme under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SINU and the University of Melbourne in 2025.

The partnership aims to strengthen student exchanges, teaching cooperation, and research.

Speaking before their departure, SINU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau congratulated the students and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity.

“You are the product of this partnership and the first cohort of SINU students to participate in this programme. It is a great honour, so embrace every new experience and use it as inspiration to pursue even greater opportunities in the future,” Professor Aqorau said.

He also urged the students to represent both SINU and Solomon Islands with pride as they build friendships and gain new knowledge.

The students selected for the programme are Doreen Teilo, Kedimel Filoa, Lee-Chard Eboebo, Magalily Poloso, Marilyn Ronnie, Lingesi Adino, and Sandra Carter, representing different faculties across the university.

“The programme marks another milestone in expanding international learning opportunities for its students through global academic partnerships,” the statement.

Photo credit: SINU

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY CHARLES STENNETT

Senior officials of Rennell and Bellona Province in Solomon Islands and Hainan Province in China have been tasked to produce a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the leaders’ endorsement to advance their sister relationship following a meeting held last week in Haikou, Hainan’s capital city.

In a meeting last week between the Premier of Rennell and Bellona Province Eric Saueha and the Vice Governor of Hainan province, Ms. Xie Jing, the two leaders exchanged views and proposed common areas for mutual cooperation.

The areas highlighted in the discussions for mutual cooperation include fisheries, tourism, agriculture, green energy and infrastructure, and people to people and cultural exchanges.

The meeting was a follow-up after the exchange of Letter of Intent signed in May 2025 between the two provinces to forge a sister-province relation.

In her remarks, the Vice Governor of Hainan indicated her province’s readiness to invite young students from Rennell and Bellona province to study in Hainan under various universities scholarship, a proposal welcomed by Premier Saueha, as an immediate benefit for his province.

Premier Saueha also took the opportunity to express his province’s alignment with the country’s One-China Principle as the cornerstone of China-Solomon Islands diplomatic relation.

He reaffirmed Rennell Bellona Province’s full support of this principle and commitment to foster cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared values.

The Premier was accompanied by two senior provincial executive members, Jorge Puia, Carlvyn Teno, and the province’s Deputy Secretary, Aubrey Saueha.

Solomon Islands Ambassador to China, Barrett Salato also attended the meeting.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

FISHERMEN in and around Noro will soon have access to a modern facility to sell their catch following the completion of a new fish market under the Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement (CAUSE II) Project.

The new market is expected to provide a cleaner, safer and more convenient environment for vendors while improving public access to fresh seafood.

Speaking to Island Sun, CAUSE II Resident Work Supervisor and Team Leader, Titus Maena, said the project has reached its final stage, with only minor finishing works remaining before it is officially handed over to the Noro Town Council.

“We are now doing the final touches this week, which include the drainage system, re-levelling of the surrounding area and fencing.

“Once these works are completed, the facility will be handed over to the Noro Town Council,” he said.

Maena said the new fish market is one of several infrastructure projects implemented under CAUSE II to improve public facilities and support local economic activities in Noro.

He said the project has also upgraded part of the jetty to improve accessibility and safety for fishermen and members of the public using the waterfront, apart from the fish market.

Maena added that CAUSE II has also completed two footpath projects linking Kongu to Paru and Baru, making it easier and safer for residents to move around the town.

He said the projects aim to improve community infrastructure while creating employment opportunities for local residents through labour-based construction activities.

The new fish market is expected to become an important hub for local fishermen, providing a designated place to sell their daily catch while enhancing hygiene and supporting the growth of Noro’s fisheries sector.

Residents welcome the development, saying the new facility will improve the marketing of fresh fish and contribute to better livelihoods for fishing communities in and around Noro.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

HELENA Goldie Hospital has issued an urgent appeal to individuals, businesses and development partners to help complete its long-delayed X-ray building after years of unsuccessful construction efforts which have left the hospital without a dedicated X-ray room.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Raymond Kuray Dickson said the incomplete project has become a symbol of poor implementation of essential health infrastructure that can directly affect the delivery of lifesaving medical services.

According to Dickson, several contractors have been engaged over the years, but none have completed the project.

“We have had contractors come and go, but the building remains incomplete. Only the walls were completed,” he said.

Dickson said the unfinished structure has been left exposed to the elements for years, resulting in cracks appearing on the walls as cement continues to deteriorate under the sun and rain.

“It’s been years and the cement has been exposed to rain and sun. We’ve already seen cracks on the walling,” he said.

Dickson said an X-ray facility is one of the most important services in any hospital, enabling doctors and nurses to diagnose injuries and illnesses that cannot be detected through physical examination alone.

He said the absence of a proper X-ray room continues to affect patient care and limits the hospital’s ability to provide timely diagnosis and treatment.

“Hospitals exist to save lives, and playing around with hospital projects is simply gambling with people’s lives,” Dickson said.

He urges those involved in health infrastructure projects to recognise the critical importance of hospital facilities and ensure projects are completed on time.

“We must understand that the hospital may be the last place we spend our final days if we become seriously ill. One day it could be one of our own relatives needing treatment, but previous decisions have left the hospital with limited opportunities to provide the services they need.

“It is worth mentioning that hospital projects are meant to improve our services so we can respond effectively to the increasing health challenges faced by our communities,” Dickson said.

He calls on kind-hearted individuals, businesses and organisations willing to support the hospital to come forward and assist in completing the unfinished X-ray building.

Dickson said every contribution towards the project will help strengthen healthcare services for thousands of people who rely on Helena Goldie Hospital across Western Province and neighbouring islands.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Matthew Wale says the issue of West Papua should be discussed openly, while maintaining strong and friendly relations with Indonesia.

Speaking at an event during his one-day official visit to Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Wale said the matter was briefly discussed with his Papua New Guinean counterpart Prime Minister James Marape, according to tvwan news in Papua New Guinea.

Wale acknowledged concerns over the effectiveness of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in addressing regional issues, including West Papua.

“I think there are some disappointments generally with the MSG that it could be more effective and have more robust processes in place. That’s something I think we must continue together to work on going forward,” Wale said.

He said both leaders also discussed the situation in West Papua and the need for constructive engagement with Indonesia.

“We discussed briefly the issue of our people in West Papua. We want to be good friends with Indonesia so we don’t want to antagonise Indonesia, but we are concerned about the human rights situation in West Papua,” Wale said.

He revealed that the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister had suggested a dialogue with Indonesia that could ease tensions and encourage greater understanding.

“There’s no need to hide away from the issues of West Papua. There’s no need to sidestep any of it. We need to talk about these things openly and we want to say to Indonesia, we’re your friends,” he said.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Wale has been a vocal advocate on the West Papua issue and frequently called for stronger regional support for the rights of the Melanesian people in the Indonesian-administered territory when he was the Opposition Leader.

His latest comments indicate that while his government seeks to maintain positive diplomatic relations with Indonesia, it also intends to continue raising concerns over the human rights situation in West Papua through dialogue and regional engagement.

Photo credit: PM Press Secretariat

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Ports today will officially launch its new Shipping Schedule App, the first digital platform of its kind in Solomon Islands to provide real-time domestic vessel scheduling information.

The launched will occur at the Solomon Ports Auditorium in Honiara.

The app allows passengers and shipping operators to access live updates on vessel arrivals, departures, schedules and delays and will also improve the management of domestic vessel berthing through an online booking system.

Solomon Ports Senior Media and Communications Officer, Lowen Sei said the initiative demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to digital innovation, improved customer service and stronger connectivity between Honiara and the provinces.

The launch will include a live demonstration of the app and a press conference with the technical team behind the platform.

Photo: Solomon Ports

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Haroro Cultural Group from Central Islands Province is preparing to bring the rich traditions of Ngella to the stage during the 3rd Solomon Islands National Panpipe Festival in Honiara next week.

According to a post on the Solomon Islands National Panpipe Festival Facebook page, the group will perform during the five-day festival, which runs from July 1 to 5 at the National Museum and National Art Gallery.

The cultural group comes from Haroro village in the Sandfly Passage of Central West Ngella and has a performance history dating back to 1988.

The group was originally established to entertain international visitors during village tours operated through the renowned Bilikiki Cruise, before growing into one of the province’s cultural ambassadors.

The group usually brings together village elders, men, women and young people who perform traditional panpipe music alongside authentic Ngella cultural dances.

The performances tell stories passed down through generations and celebrate the customs and legends unique to Central Province.

Among the group’s featured performances is the “Vulevao”, a traditional dance inspired by the movements of the sacred Vulevao bird, which is found only on their island and is accompanied by live panpipe music.

Another highlight is the “Uluvaolu”, a performance centred on the “green leaf” traditionally associated with custom love charms.

The group also performs “The Giant of Ngella”, a theatrical presentation that brings the island’s legendary giants to life through a combination of dance, music and storytelling.

According to the festival’s Facebook page, Haroro Cultural Group sees cultural performance as more than entertainment.

The group aims to preserve Ngella’s cultural identity for future generations while creating opportunities for village families to earn income through cultural tourism and performances.

Over the years, the performers have welcomed visitors at Roderick Beach Bungalows and participated in Independence Day celebrations, provincial events and national cultural festivals.

Looking ahead, the group hopes to strengthen the confidence of young people, develop new creative skills and continue promoting ancestral panpipe traditions through innovative choreography, with the long-term goal of sharing Ngella’s cultural heritage on international stages.

The 3rd Solomon Islands National Panpipe Festival will bring together cultural groups from across the country to celebrate the nation’s diverse panpipe traditions through music, dance and storytelling.

Photo credit: Tulagi Tours Facebook page

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]