On the morning of July 10, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks with Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People.
Li Qiang said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Solomon Islands nearly four years ago, bilateral relations have developed rapidly and yielded fruitful results, and the two countries have become good friends that are trustworthy to each other and good brothers that can rely on each other. This fully shows that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Solomon Islands is a correct choice in keeping with the trend of the times. The two countries have decided to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to deepen political mutual trust with Solomon Islands, continue to firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, expand dialogue and exchanges in various fields and at all levels, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and upgrade bilateral relations.
Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to share development opportunities with Solomon Islands, further synergize development strategies, and expand cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure construction, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, information and communications, energy and mineral resources, tourism and other fields, to build more landmark cooperation projects. China will continue to support Solomon Islands in improving people's livelihood and maintaining social stability and in hosting the 17th Pacific Games. China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Solomon Islands in culture and education, health, localities and other fields.
Li Qiang stressed that China understands the special situation and major concerns of Pacific island countries on climate change problem, and will continue to strengthen South-South cooperation with Solomon Islands on tackling climate change, to enhance its capacity for independent development and risk response. China is ready to work with Solomon Islands to jointly uphold true multilateralism, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum, and jointly safeguard the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone and regional stability, development and prosperity.
Sogavare said that Solomon Islands attaches great importance to its relations with China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Solomon Islands and China, bilateral relations have made remarkable progress. Solomon Islands appreciates China's active help for the economic and social development of Solomon Islands and other Pacific island countries, and supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China. Solomon Islands opposes geopolitical manipulation against China, and highly appreciates China's important role in maintaining regional and world peace, promoting sustainable development and addressing global challenges. Solomon Islands abides by the one-China principle, is willing to learn from China's development experience, and will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in trade, investment, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, climate change response and other fields, in a bid to achieve common development.
After the talks, Premier Li and Prime Minister Sogavare jointly witnessed the signing of numerous bilateral cooperation documents on development cooperation, trade, civil aviation, customs and meteorology, among other fields.
Before the talks, Li Qiang held a welcome ceremony for Sogavare at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
Wu Zhenglong was present at the above events.
On the afternoon of the same day, Sogavare laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes.