NEW MINISTER MRD MEETS PRC AMBASSADOR TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

NEW MINISTER MRD MEETS PRC AMBASSADOR TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

 

The newly appointed Minister for the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Honourable Rollen Seleso has begun his official engagement through a courtesy meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands His Excellency Cai Weiming at the Chinese Embassy in Honiara on May 7, 2024.

During the meeting, Minister Seleso and H.E. Weiming discussed the exceptional relationship and common partnership that Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have shared over the past five years and discussed their mutual priorities for years ahead.

These included continuous support to the implementation of the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) funded by PRC, Technical capacity training for officers, continuous support to rural development and the decentralization of government services and initiation of economic projects through the proposed constituency growth centers, a potential the ministry will propel in close collaboration with willing donor partners including the Chinese Embassy for the benefit of all rural Solomon Islanders.

Minister Seleso and H.E. Weiming also exchanged views on the Solomon Islands-China relations and issues of mutual interest.

Hon. Seleso was the first Minister under the newly formed Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) regime to have paid a courtesy visit to the Chinese Ambassador.

Minister Seleso assured H.E. Weiming that the Government looked forward to working closely with his office in the continuity and furthering of our mutual and genuine friendship.

“Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties in September 2019, our two countries have enjoyed a very fruitful and progressive friendship.

“Our friendship is built on mutual trust, understanding, and respect for each other and our relations have grown from strength to strength, and will continue to flourish in the years ahead,” Minister Seleso told H.E. Weiming.

The Minister also used the opportunity and acknowledge H.E. Weiming and the government of China for the many assistance rendered to the people of Solomon Islands through MRD.

“MRD has been the recipient of CDF funding assistance in the past. This funding has helped a lot of our isolated citizens.

“Officers of the ministry also received technical eye-opening training in China last year and, new batches of trainees are soon departing for China for other sets of training this year. Such trainings will build the capacity of our officers as they learn from your great country.

“My ministry is also very happy to be the focal point for implementing the RSDP.

“RSDP has truly benefited countless Solomon islanders through projects such as water supply and sanitation, vehicles and equipment, transportation, schools, clinics, small infrastructures and many more.

“I am pretty sure that our citizens are steadily valuing our friendship as they proved it themselves that China is a true friend of Solomon Islands,” Minister Seleso attested.

“Your Excellency, my ministry looks forward to continue collaborating with your government through your Embassy in the continuity of the RSDP. There are also other areas that the ministry is very much interested in working closely with your Embassy, particularly on the decentralization of government services and initiation of economic projects through the proposed constituency development growth centers,” he further said.

Minister Seleso then thanked H.E. Weiming for his strong leadership and steadfast commitment to the SI-PRC friendship, and the continuous rendering of assistance to the people of Solomon Islands through MRD.

As a show of appreciation and respect by MRD towards the Chinese Embassy and its government, Minister Seleso presented to H.E. Weiming a traditional shell money from Guadalcanal Province which he is pleased to receive with great honour.

Hon. Minister Seleso was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Dr. Samson Viulu.

Meanwhile, H.E. Weiming recognized Hon. Minister Seleso and his PS Dr. Viulu for the courtesy meeting and MRD’s continuous close cooperation with the Embassy.

He said PRC through its Embassy will continue to work closely with the government to deliver livelihood collaborative projects and provide assistance in other areas of cooperation to support programs that will bring maximum benefits to the people.

“We remain loyal to our friendship and so, we will continue to deliver support to rural development programs that will bring many benefits to the ordinary citizens of this country.”

With regards to rural development, H.E. Weiming assured Minister Seleso that PRC will continue to support implementation programs under MRD especially the continuity of the RSDP program towards improving people’s socio-economic livelihood.

H.E. Weiming further reiterated that in the past 5 years, Solomon Islands and China have worked together and achieved tangible results.

“When we address our peoples’ needs in our rural places, we also help to eradicate poverty,” he added.

H.E. Weiming further stressed that for 5 years Chinese Embassy has supported MRD and they will continue to show that same support and cooperation now and into the future for the benefit of the Solomon Islands.

“I am pleased that this cooperation has benefitted our rural people, especially through project assistance delivered through the CDF program and now the RSDP program funded by PRC and implemented by MRD.

“We will continue to honor our commitment to support the government through MRD and continue to work together to achieve the Ministry mandates and also for our future cooperation,” he added.

Minister Seleso again thanked H.E. Weiming and his staff for accepting the visit and acknowledged their continuous support to his ministry and the government.

 

– MRD Press