Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands

On October 9, 2019, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Xi Jinping pointed out, not long ago, China and Solomon Islands formally established diplomatic relations on the basis of the One China principle, which is a good deed that conforms to the trend of the times and benefits the two peoples. Your visit to China this time is of milestone significance. Although Solomon Islands has just established diplomatic relations with China, the friendship is regarded in no particular order. As long as our two countries forge friendship, we will enjoy bright prospects. China is willing to work with the Solomon Islands side to seize the historical opportunity brought by the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, trust, respect and support each other, actively expand cooperation and exchanges in various fields, and make a good start to jointly develop a bright future for the development of bilateral relations.

Xi Jinping pointed out, Solomon Islands is located in the southward extension of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The two countries should take the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen alignment of development strategies, expand cooperation and help improve the Solomon Islands side' livelihood and capabilities for independent and sustainable development. After the establishment of diplomatic relations, Solomon Islands became a tourist destination for Chinese citizens, bringing great opportunities for personnel exchanges, sub-national exchanges and tourism cooperation between the two countries. Solomon Islands is welcome to join the big family of China-Pacific Island countries for cooperation. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Solomon Islands side in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum to address challenges including climate change and well safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Extending warm congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Manasseh Sogavare said, the Solomon Islands side really admires China's tremendous development achievements made in a short period of time. The Solomon Islands side recognizes the One China principle, establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and chooses to stand on the right side of history and on the side of most countries in the world. This is a solemn and firm political commitment made by the Solomon Islands side. The Solomon Islands side hopes to learn from China's successful experience so as to achieve its own progress and prosperity. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping is a great initiative and brings great opportunities to the Solomon Islands side. The Solomon Islands side stands ready to actively carry out cooperation in various areas including trade, investment, agriculture and fishery, and tourism with the Chinese side to jointly create a new future for Solomon Islands-China relations. The Solomon Islands side appreciates the Chinese side's concern and support for the development of the Pacific Island countries. This is a successful example of South-South cooperation.

Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others were present.