35-member delegation head out this weekend
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is set to lead a large delegation to the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) this Sunday, according to confirmed sources.
The delegation is expected to comprise more than 35 individuals.
The PRC Government will only meet the expenses of 20 members of the delegation, while the Solomon Islands Government will handle the arrangements for the rest.
The purpose of the visit and the composition of the delegation are still unclear.
In 2019, Prime Minister Sogavare made his first official visit to Beijing following an invitation from President Xi Jinping of the PRC Government.
This visit took place after the historical signing of diplomatic recognitions by Solomon Islands’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele, and State Councillor Wang Yi of the People’s Republic of China on September 21, 2019, in Beijing.
It was a significant visit, marking the first time a Prime Minister from the Solomon Islands had traveled to the PRC under a diplomatic framework.
During the official visit, the Prime Minister engaged with the President and other high-level dignitaries from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
The visit also included visits to areas of significant importance to both the Solomon Islands and the PRC.
Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Governments of the Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China, covering various areas such as education, economic and technical cooperation, and foreign affairs.
These MoUs paved the way for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in their respective fields of engagement.
During the Prime Minister’s absence, Minister for Infrastructure Development and Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga, will assume the role of acting Prime Minister.
