From July 9 to 10, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands led a 28-member delegation to Xiamen and Fuzhou during his official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.

On July 9, Secretary Zhou Zuyi and Governor Zhao Long met with Prime Minister Manele in Fuzhou. Noting the fifth anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Solomon islands, Secretary Zhou highlighted the ever-strengthening comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and the fruitful cooperation between Fujian and Solomon Islands. He said that Fujian is ready to work with Solomon Islands to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, advance cooperation on economy, trade, culture, tourism, and poverty alleviation, and bolster sister city relationship to make new contributions to China-Solomon Islands friendship.

Prime Minister Manele reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ adherence to the one-China Principle and looked forward to stronger cooperation with China across the board. Praising Fujian’s economic and social achievements and reflecting on the historical bonds between Solomon Islands and Fujian, he expressed hope for greater and mutually-beneficial cooperation on poverty alleviation, policing, Juncao technology, fishery, and tourism between the two sides.

Following the meeting, Governor Zhao Long and Minister Wayne Ghemu of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening of Solomon Islands signed the twinning agreement between Fujian Province and Western Province. This marks Fujian’s second sister relationship with Pacific Island countries.

In Xiamen, Prime Minister Manele learned about Gulangyu Island’s experience in cultural heritage protection, the One Country, Two Systems policy, and the historical connection between Fujian and Taiwan. In Fuzhou, he visited the China National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology in Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China-Pacific Island Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center, Fujian Police College, and China-Pacific Island Countries Police Training Center.