Chen Jian’an, Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), led a delegation to visit the Solomon Islands from February 18-21, where he met with the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele, Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Frederick Kologeto, and Chair of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) Ricky Fuo’o. The delegation signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with the SICCI. The Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Li Ming, Minister-Counselor Ding Yonghua, and Counselor Gong Rui also participated in these events. 

Mr. Chen introduced the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. He stressed that China will firmly pursue a win-win strategy of opening up and stay committed to the right direction of economic globalization. China’s pursuit of high-quality development through a Chinese path to modernization will bring new development opportunities for the Solomon Islands and other countries. The CCPIT stands ready to work with relevant institutions in the Solomon Islands to build new platforms and mechanisms with a focus on fields such as lumbering, mining, and fishery. Such efforts will promote the synergizing of the Belt and Road Initiative and development plans for the Solomon Islands, as well as elevate China-Solomon Islands economic and trade cooperation. 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare highly appreciated the progress made in bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Solomon Islands and China, and is full of confidence in the development of bilateral relations in the future. Heads of relevant Solomon Islands institutions said that they hope to enhance cooperation with the CCPIT, build institutional exchange platforms, increase the export of competitive goods from the Solomon Islands to China, and facilitate more Chinese enterprises to invest in the Solomon Islands. 

During the visit to the Solomon Islands, Chen Jian’an and his delegation also held an exchange with heads of Chinese communities and Chinese enterprises in the Solomon Islands. The delegation also visited the site of the Solomon Islands’ Stadium Project, currently under construction by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.