by Ednal Palmer
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and his delegation arrived from China this afternoon and wasted no time in recounting the achievements emanated from the state visit.
Visiting China for the first time as a Prime Minister, Manele said he secured a grant funding exceeding $100 million to finance the Auki Road tar-sealing project and other priority projects agreed between the two governments.
He said during a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, there was also signing of MOUs to increase trade, provide scholarships, and enhance news cooperation.
“On trade, we signed three Protocols to broaden, diversify and facilitate trade in agriculture, and marine products,” the prime minister said.
“They are Inspection, Quarantine and Sanitary requirements for cultured aquatics products signed by the Minister of Health and Medical Services, protocolonInspection, Quarantine and Sanitary requirements for wild aquatics products signed by the Minister of Health and Medical Services and protocol of Phytosanitary for unroasted beans and cocoa beans signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock,” he added.
Several products do not require SPS to enter the China market including Noni Juice, Baked Cocoa, Baker coffee, Sawn timber and veneer, and unprocessed logs.
“We are still talking with China to conclude a species protocol as well a protocol for chilly and ginger to enter the Chinese market.”
On Education, the Minister of Education signed an MOU on strengthening Education partnership between the two countries. Scholarships are expected to increase to 37 next year.
Sub-state (sister) relationships have also been forged by Fujian Province and the Western Province and Shandong and Isabel Province.
Manele said these relationships are crucial for a number of reasons including strengthening people to people relations and exploring other areas of cooperation such as agriculture, fisheries, education and health.
The Prime Minister thanked China for contributions to the successful hosting of the 2023 Pacific Games, including the Stadiums project and the SINU dormitories as well as the comprehensive health center being built – all of which he said are totally grant funded.
He also thanked China for the 161 telecommunication towers, ten of which he said were already operational and 92 others projected to be operational by December 2024 with the rest to be implemented in 2025.
The Prime Minister and his delegation conducted the state visit to China from the 9th to 15th July after which he attended the Japan – Pacific Leaders Meeting in Tokyo from 15 – 19 July 2023.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by 14 Government Ministers and MPs and senior officials from the PMO and Foreign Affairs.