PRC ASSISTS SIG WITH USD 1 MILLION TOWARDS HOSTING OF 54TH PIF LEADERS MEETING
In a demonstration of genuine friendship, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has once again stepped in to assist the Solomon Islands Government with funding of USD 1 million towards the hosting of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in September this year.
The funding will be used specifically for the procurement of 27 vehicles required for the leaders attending this prestigious event.
This support was formalized today through the signing of an Exchange of Notes at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).
In acknowledging the PRC’s assistance, the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Fredrick Kologeto, expressed the government’s sincere gratitude for China’s timely support for the country’s preparations to host the PIF Leaders Meeting.
Acting Prime Minister Kologeto further reiterated the significance of the event, stating that the PIF Leaders Meeting is the premier gathering of Pacific leaders, and hosting it is a major undertaking for the government and people of Solomon Islands.
Acting Prime Minister Honorable Fredrick Kologeto presented his speech at the brief Exchange of Note (EON) ceremony this morning at OPMC.
He went on to highlight that hosting such a high-level event comes with considerable logistical and resource demands, particularly in transportation. In that regard, the Solomon Islands Government sought assistance from the PRC—a request that was met with a positive response.
The Acting Prime Minister urged all responsible officials to promptly take the next steps now that the Exchange of Notes has been signed and sealed.
He also revealed that following the PIF Leaders Meeting, the 27 vehicles will be allocated to various government ministries.
Speaking at the brief signing ceremony, the PRC Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Cai Weiming, emphasized that the Exchange of Notes represents the realization of assurances made earlier by President Xi Jinping and subsequently by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi.
Ambassador Weiming stated that this assistance is yet another example of China’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to its friends, adding that China deeply respects the Pacific Island Countries’ efforts to seek strength through unity.
HE Cai Weiming also assured that China is willing to continue working closely with Solomon Islands to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, to further strengthen political mutual trust, deepen cooperation across all areas, and to build an even closer China–Solomon Islands community with a shared future in the new era.
At the beginning of this year, some of the notable projects that China has assisted the country with include the National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Centre, the Auki Road project, and the construction of the National Broadband Network towers.
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– OPMC PRESS SECRETARIAT