THE People’s Republic of China (PRC) is ready to stand with Solomon Islands in advancing win-win development cooperation, upholding fairness and defending the international order.
This assurance was made by the PRC Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Cai Weiming when handing over the China-Aid funded multi-million-dollar National Referral Hospital (NRH) Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC) to the Minister of Health and Medical Services on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government on Friday.
It comes at a crucial time when the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump after his inauguration on Monday 21 January (US time) withdrew the world’s leading economy from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations agency that works to promote health, and also from the Paris Agreement, the United Nations treaty on climate change aimed at preventing global temperatures rising by more than 1.5 Degrees Celsius above those of the late 19th Century – known as “pre-industrial” levels. Since its founding, the UN has been a part of the postwar international order and also a principal instrument for maintaining that order.
Trump withdrew the US from the WHO due to the organisation’s ‘mishandling’ of the COVID-19 pandemic, and from the Paris Agreement, citing the imposition of unfair economic burden on American workers, businesses and taxpayers through the pledges the Joe Biden administration made thereunder.
Ambassador Cai said the China-Aid CMC stands as another symbol and new milestone of the high-level mutual trust and high-quality cooperation between China and Solomon Islands.
He said over the past years, the relationship between China and Solomon Islands continued to grow robustly, resulting in a constantly enriched comprehensive strategic partnership that bears fruitful achievements across various fields.
The Chinese envoy said the China-SI relationship has taken the lead in China’s relations with Pacific Island countries and has become a model for mutual support and common development amongst countries of different sizes.
He underscored that China is ready to stand with Solomon Islands in advancing win-win cooperation and be the promoters of development and prosperity.
“We shall accelerate the alignment of the B&R (Belt and Road) Initiative and SI’s National Development Strategy. China will continue to provide aid and support the implementation of signature projects as well as small, but smart projects in Solomon Islands.
“We shall strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education, health, culture, sports, youth and sub-national cooperation. China Police Liaison Team, China Medical Team and Chinese language teacher in Solomon Islands will continue to focus on their missions, leverage their expertise and bring more tangible benefits to local people.”
Ambassador Cai said in 2024, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, China has injected strong momentum into promoting peace and development.
“In 2024, China’s economy successfully realised the growth target with its economic output breaking the RMB 130 trillion mark for the first time and economic growth equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country.”
He said this speaks to the resilience and potential of China’s economy and the confidence that China’s economy has brought to the world.
The ambassador further assured that China will stay committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, maintain the continued upward trajectory of the Chinese economy and bring more positive surprises to the global economy.
He said China shares development opportunities with the world and so far, 155 countries have joined the family of ‘B&R’ Cooperation, carrying out thousands of pragmatic cooperation projects and bringing more benefits to the world.
“82 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Security Initiative has been supported by 119 countries and international organisations,” the ambassador added.
Ambassador Cai highlighted that the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the China-proposed resolution to establish the International Day for Dialogue amongst Civilisations.
He said China stands for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, advocating and practicing true multi-lateralism and rallying the solidarity of the Global South and its policies and proposals are increasingly welcomed and supported by the international community.
Ambassador Cai also assured that China is ready to stand with Solomon Islands in upholding fairness and justice and to be the defenders of the international order.
“We shall uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, and safeguard the basic norms and governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.”
He said China highly appreciates the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment on the one-China principle which has been inscribed in the UNGA Resolution 2758 in 1971.
“There are neither two Chinas, nor one China, one Taiwan. On this matter of principle, there is no grey zone or room for ambiguity.
“The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations. It is also the political foundation of the relationship between China and SI. We shall firmly support each others’ core interests and major concerns, and always stand on the right side of history and international justice,” Ambassador Cai said.
Ambassador Cai highlighted that this year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and also the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
He said as Both China and SI are victims of World War II, they share the common memory of national humiliation and suffering, as well as the common genes of loving peace and opposing war.
“Standing at a new historic juncture, China is ready to work together with SI to safeguard the hard-won achievements of World War II and the international order, injecting new positive energy into world peace, justice and the common progress of humanity.
“China is ready to stand with SI in upholding fairness and justice, to be the defenders of the international order. We shall uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, and safeguard the basic norms and governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
“China is ready to stand with SI to be the promoters of human progress. While we are living in a world full of changes and uncertainties, China firmly promotes cooperation through opening-up and promotes development through cooperation.
“China will share the opportunities and benefits of our high-quality development. China will share our experiences in governance with SI, to promote mutual understanding, and to forge closer ties between our two peoples.
“We shall join hands in addressing global challenges such as global governance and climate change, and build a shared future together.”
By DELI-SHARON OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
