China says it has helped more than 1,200 Solomon Islanders undertake training programs in China over the last seven years.
And more than 200 Solomon Islands students are currently studying in Chinese universities with full scholarships, which empowers human resource development of Solomon Islands.
Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Cai Weiming highlighted the figures in a social media commentary following Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Rick Houenipwela’s recent official visit to China.
Since 2019, Solomon Islanders from various sectors have been travelling in groups for two to four weeks’ short-term training in different fields across China.
Weiming described education and people-to-people exchanges as an important pillar of bilateral relations.
During his visit, Houenipwela met Solomon Islands students studying in China and visited Jiangsu Province, which has a sister-province relationship with Malaita.
Weiming said China was willing to deepen cooperation with Solomon Islands in education, youth, media and sub-national exchanges, with the aim of strengthening understanding and ties between the two peoples.
The ambassador said the two countries had also agreed to deepen practical cooperation in areas including infrastructure, trade, education, healthcare and green development.
Houenipwela held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and China International Development Cooperation Agency chairman Chen Xiaodong during the visit.
Weiming explained the talks reached consensus on further strengthening the China-Solomon Islands Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He said China would continue sharing development opportunities with Solomon Islands and supporting its human resource development.
The ambassador also highlighted China-funded projects in Solomon Islands, including the National Stadium, SINU dormitory, National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Centre and National Broadband Network, as examples of cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2019.
