BY NED GAGAHE
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Cai Weiming, reaffirms China’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties during a reception in Honiara marking the 2026 Chinese New Year on Thursday, February 12, 2025.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Cai said China–Solomon Islands relations remain at the forefront of cooperation in the region, delivering outstanding achievements across trade, infrastructure, health, policing, and education.
“China continues to be Solomon Islands’ top trading partner. In 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately USD 600 million. Solomon Islands’ exports to China exceeded USD 330 million, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 68 million. Seaweed exports recorded a strong 34 per cent increase,” Ambassador Cai Weiming said.
He said several major infrastructure projects funded through Chinese government grants continue to deliver benefits to Solomon Islanders.
These include the Solomon Islands National Stadium, the Solomon Islands National University dormitory, and the National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Centre.
“The Auki Road Project, also funded through a Chinese government grant, is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Once finished, it is anticipated to significantly improve connectivity within Malaita Province, boosting economic activity and creating new business opportunities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Broadband Network Project — the only initiative funded through a Chinese concessional loan — is steadily expanding nationwide.
“To date, 76 communication towers have been commissioned. When all 161 towers are completed by the end of the year, the project is expected to cover about 80 per cent of the population, enhancing digital connectivity and supporting the development of e-commerce, e-education, and e-health services.
“In the health sector, China has donated medical supplies worth millions of Solomon Islands dollars. Since the arrival of the Chinese Medical Team in 2022 under a China-Aid programme, the team has worked closely with local doctors, visited all provinces, and assisted more than 60,000 patients.
“In 2025, joint efforts between the Chinese Medical Team and local health professionals led to several historic medical breakthroughs in Solomon Islands. These include the country’s first minimally invasive coronary intervention therapy, first coronary stent implantation, and first laser procedures for the removal of bladder, ureteral, and renal stones — significantly reducing patient suffering and treatment costs while transferring new medical technologies to the country.
“China has also continued to provide police equipment worth tens of millions of Solomon Islands dollars. Earlier this year, two Police Fast Craft Boats were handed over to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). Since 2022, the Chinese Police Liaison Team has worked closely with the RSIPF to strengthen capacity building and operational performance,” he said.
Ambassador Weiming also described the strong performance of the RSIPF SWAT team at a recent international policing event in Dubai, as a confidence boost for the force.
At the provincial level, all provinces in Solomon Islands have now established friendly relations with counterparts in China. China has provided more than 260 full scholarships to Solomon Islands students and facilitated training programmes in China for over 1,200 Solomon Islanders across various sectors.
Ambassador Weiming said these achievements have strengthened Solomon Islands’ economic and social resilience, enabled the country to stand stronger on its own, and further deepens the bond between the two nations while laying the groundwork for expanded future cooperation.
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