BARRETT Salato, the Director of Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is the country’s new ambassador to China, In-depth Solomons can reveal.
He will replace late John Moffat Fugui, who died of heart failure last year in Beijing while serving as the country’s first ambassador to China.
The Government is yet to officially announce Salato’s appointment, but In-depth Solomons was able to confirm this with various government sources.
He will be part of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s second official trip to China from July 9 to 15. Sogavare is due to fly out of the country tomorrow.
In Beijing, Sogavare is expected to introduce Salato to the Chinese Government, before he officially takes up his new role in due course.
Salato, who comes from Marovo in the Western Province, is a seasoned diplomat who had previously served at various Solomon Islands diplomatic missions abroad.
He is experienced and is highly recognised within the diplomatic community, according to those In-depth Solomons has spoken to.
Solomon Islands opened its embassy in Beijing in May 2021 after Sogavare controversially switched the country’s diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing. Late Fugui, who was instrumental in the “switch” became the country’s first ambassador to China.
Meanwhile, In-depth Solomons understands the Government will soon announce the country’s first high commissioner to India.
A High Commission was already established in New Delhi, being manned by a Foreign Affairs official.
Prime Minister Sogavare recently announced the Government establishing an embassy in Saudi Arabia that will serve the Gulf states.