Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says his week-long trip to China has been “fruitful and successful.”
Sogavare arrived back in the country with his 35-member delegation this afternoon amidst accusations he lied about the source of funding for the trip.
Brushing aside those accusations, the prime minister told reporters on arrival at the airport that the nine agreements his government signed with China were all about development and trade.
He added China has stepped up to support the country with its 2023 budget.
PM Sogavare and his delegation arrived at the Henderson International Airport from a PRC trip.
“As some of you may already know, some of our donor partners who helped to provide budgetary support for us this year have since changed their position, and we are struggling, which left our country in a predicament,” Sogavare said.
“But I am happy to announce that China has stepped up to meet that shortfall by supporting us with the 2023 budget.”
The state visit to China has been heavily criticized by certain sectors of the community, accusing the government of being secretive about it.
Amongst the agreements signed was a Policing Agreement, which the Government says will see China step up its assistance to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
