CHINA’S first ambassador to the Solomon Islands is heading home after completing his three-year tenure in the country.

Beijing dispatched Li Ming to Honiara after Solomon Islands controversially switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in September 2019.

Ming’s replacement is yet to be announced.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who engineered the switch, today paid tribute to Ming’s service to the country.

“You time here will go down in history as China’s first ambassador to Solomon Islands,” Sogavare told Ming when they met for the final time in his office.

He added Ming was instrumental in establishing China’s embassy in Solomon Islands.

Sogavare said the intention to establish bilateral relationship with China has gone a long way back during the time of former prime minister late Solomon Sunaone Mamaloni.

“One of late Mamaloni’s political statements is…. ‘the future of this country is with China’,” Sogavare stated.

In response, Ming acknowledged Sogavare for boosting the morel of the staff inside his embassy.

He said his last three years in the Solomons has been valued and cherished.

Ming said more effort will be made to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the areas of education, cultural exchanges, health and education.

Meanwhile, Sogavare said the 2023 Pacific Games facilities – the national stadium and running track/ football pitch training ground and the multipurpose hall east of King George School – remain China’s  biggest development contribution to the country to date. 

He added in its effort to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Solomon Islands will continue to work with China in other areas of cooperation such as in education and health.