(Photo courtesy of China’s embassy in the Solomon Islands)

Jiangsu and Malaita, one of the largest provinces of Solomon Islands, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Auki, the capital of Malaita, on April 4 to formalize their sister-province relationship.

Nearly 40 representatives, including Malaita’s legislators and government officials, attended the signing ceremony.

Describing the event as a historic occasion, China’s ambassador to the Solomon Islands Cai Weiming stated that the sister-province relationship marks a new chapter in bilateral ties and cooperation at the regional level.

Wang said China is committed to working with both the central and provincial governments of the Solomon Islands to advance province-level cooperation and support initiatives including the Auki road project, broadband infrastructure and rural sustainable development, aiming to boost local development and improve the well-being of the people of Malaita.

In a video message, Fang Wei, vice governor of Jiangsu Province, emphasized the closer exchange and cooperation between the two sides in various fields. He expressed Jiangsu’s intention to further promote exchange and cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative, trade and culture. Jiangsu is committed to making a greater contribution to the development of bilateral ties, Fang said.

Malaita Premier Martin Fini expressed gratitude for China’s strong support since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2019. He highlighted the positive impact of this support on the economic and social development of the province, and the investment by Chinese enterprises that won support from the local people.

The Premier said the sister-province relationship signifies a milestone in the cooperation between the two provinces and heralds a new chapter in relations between the two countries. Malaita will continue to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, education and other areas, aiming to elevate bilateral ties to a new level.