By Ednal Palmer
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has announced on arrival from China this afternoon, one of the notable infrastructural undertakings secured to be the extension of the Honiara International airport.
Manele said this project was requested by the Solomon Islands government and China is considering it.
“China announced it is considering the request to extend the international airport runway to enable larger long-haul aircrafts to land in Honiara and enhance Solomon Islands trade with China,” he said.
Honiara International Airport, located on the historical Henderson field on the eastern side of the city, has been the principal gateway into and out of the country.
The airport was originally constructed by the Japanese in 1942. After the American Marines landed on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942, they made it their immediate objective to capture this strategic landing strip from the Japanese.
They successfully did and named it Henderson Field in honour of US Marine Corps Major Lofton Henderson, who was killed during the Battle of Midway.
Government’s intention to extend the airport using Chinese funding is likely to raise eye brows from partners like Japan and the United States.
The airport’s upgrade, and modern terminal buildings, has been largely funded by the Japanese Government over the last 20 years.
Japan was also responsible for the change of name from Henderson International Airport to Honiara International Airport in 2003.
Japan’s latest funding was that of the new departure terminal building, which was handed over to Solomon Islands last year.
Comments are being sought from the Japanese Government on this.
The World Bank, on the other hand, is financing a new Air Traffic Tower for the Honiara International Airport, and another for Munda International Airport in Western Province.
Preparatory work for these two towers are underway.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manele said they have secured a number of trade deals with China during their state visit.
He said China is Solomon Islands largest trading partner and is rapidly becoming a major partner in infrastructure.
“It has the second largest economy in the world and has lifted almost 800 million people out of poverty over the past 40 years,” Manele said.
The protocols signed during the visit included non-conformity to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) for goods such as noni juice, baked cocoa, baked coffee, timber sawn or veneered and logs.
Other protocols signed included protocols on SPS for the export of unroasted beans and cocoa beans, protocol on inspection quarantine and sanitary requirements for Wild Aquatic Products, protocol on inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for cultured aquatic products.
The Prime Minister said he also held bilateral talks with top executives of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) where potential areas of cooperation were discussed.
Solomon Islands become a member of AIIB in September last year. However, there are processes still to fullfill to become full member of the bank.
Manele said China and Solomon Islands have enjoyed a respectful and productive relationship over the five years since establishing diplomatic relations.