by Ronald Toito’ona

Malaita Province has become one of the main recipients of China’s development help in Solomon Islands, with education being a major area of support.

Chinese ambassador Cai Weiming highlighted this at the launch of the China-funded Auki Road Project in Malaita on March 5.

“Out of the 160 Solomon Islands students who have been given scholarships to study in China from 2019 to now, half are from Malaita Province,” Ambassador Weiming told Malaitans.

“We have worked hard to support Malaita’s development,” he added.

“Our cooperation with Malaita is a great example of China-Solomon Islands cooperation.”

Weiming said the students now have the chance to study in China and gain skills in many different areas. 

“This support is expected to help them contribute to the development of Solomon Islands.”

Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare switched the country’s diplomatic ties from the self-governing democratic island of Taiwan to China in September 2019.

Before the switch, Taiwan had been a strong partner, offering scholarships to Solomon Islanders to study in Taiwan.

After formal relations were established with China, scholarship recipients started going to various Universities in China instead.

As a result, many students who were studying in Taiwan had to move to continue their studies in China. 

Whilst many Solomon Islanders reluctantly accepted the switch, Malaita Provincial Government, under the previous leadership of premier Daniel Suidani decided to take a bold stand.

China or any of its associated companies, was barred from doing business in Malaita.

That decision was based on the Auki Communique, a policy document Suidani’s MARA government produced after the switch.

But after Suidani was removed from power following three consecutive no-confidence votes critics say were backed by the Sogavare government,, the path was cleared for China to enter and with Malaita.

Immediately, China announced a SBD$170 million infrastructure funding for Malaita – part of which would cover the 9.5 kilometre Auki tar-sealing project launched last week.

Apart from education, Ambassador Weiming spoke about the growing relationship between China and Malaita Province.

“We focus a lot on working with Malaita. 

“Since Jiangsu Province in China signed a cooperation agreement with Malaita in April 2024, the two provinces have built a strong relationship, which has helped both sides,” said Ambassador Cai.

“This has led to positive results in areas like infrastructure, education, farming, and livelihoods,” he added.

He also mentioned the SBD$1 million worth of goods Jiangsu Province donated to Malaita. These include tractors, solar street lights, water tanks, pumps, computers, and printers.

Additionally, he said, the Chinese medical team has visited Malaita three times, treating more than 1,000 patients.

ENDS//