Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Rick Houenipwela has begun his first official visit to China, with discussions focusing on expanding cooperation in agriculture, education, technology, skills development and renewable energy.
Houenipwela commenced the visit on Friday, 10 July 2026, with his first stop in Jiangsu Province – the sister province of Malaita Province – where he held talks with Jiangsu Vice Governor Zhao Yan and senior foreign affairs officials.
The discussions centred on strengthening practical cooperation between Solomon Islands and Jiangsu, particularly in areas that support economic development and human capacity building.
During the visit, Minister Houenipwela also met representatives from Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co. Ltd (FHNED) to explore possible cooperation in renewable energy-powered seawater desalination projects for Solomon Islands.
The Foreign Minister will continue his visit in Beijing, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao to discuss the future direction of Solomon Islands-China relations and opportunities for greater cooperation.
China has remained an important development and economic partner of Solomon Islands since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2019, following Solomon Islands’ decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
Since then, the relationship has expanded across areas including infrastructure development, trade, education, agriculture, health, fisheries and telecommunications.
China has become one of Solomon Islands’ largest trading partners, while Chinese companies and institutions have been involved in several major projects, including the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP), which is being financed through a concessional loan from the Chinese Government.
The relationship has also attracted regional and international attention due to growing geopolitical competition in the Pacific, with Solomon Islands maintaining that it seeks constructive partnerships with all countries based on mutual respect and national interests.
The Government said Houenipwela’s visit reflects Solomon Islands’ commitment to maintaining dialogue and strengthening practical cooperation with China amid a changing global economic and political environment.
“Advancing dialogue and cooperation in an open and practical spirit serves the common interests of both countries and their people,” the Government said in a statement.
