China’s Xi Jinping pledges economic, tech aid for Solomon Islands as ‘strategic partnership’ takes off
- Solomons friendship ‘arrived belatedly, but is leading the way in China-Pacific Islands relations, Xi tells Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
- ‘Developing diplomatic ties was the right choice’, Sogavare says on second visit to Beijing since leading a switch in ties from Taipei
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged economic and technical aid with “no political preconditions” for Solomon Islands – Beijing’s first close security partner in the strategically important South Pacific.
Meeting Solomons’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Beijing on Monday, Xi said: “Although our friendship arrived belatedly, it is leading the way in relations between China and the Pacific Islands.”
“China supports more Chinese enterprises to invest in Solomon Islands and will continue to provide economic and technical assistance with no political preconditions,” state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying.
He said China was willing to share in the development of the Pacific nation and in the opportunities brought by modernisation, “expand cooperation in all sectors … and assist Solomon Islands to revive development and achieve long-term stability”.
Xi and Sogavare also announced the setting up of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” and signed a joint statement for “mutual respect and co-development”.
“Developing diplomatic ties was the right choice … China has become the largest infrastructure partner of Solomon Islands and a reliable partner for development,” CCTV reported Sogavare as saying.