A NUMBER of senior officials and Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) from Malaita Province have recently visited China as part of a government-endorsed “look-and-learn” program.
The visit conducted this year, following official invitations from China, aimed at providing local leaders the opportunity to see firsthand the country’s development and governance practices.
The first to travel under the program was Malaita Premier Elijah Asilaua, accompanied by his Provincial Secretary Erick George.
Following their visit, the province’s Minister for Planning, George Ganiua, also made the trip.
More recently, Deputy Premier Randol Sifoni and Deputy Provincial Secretary Peter Herehura joined the initiative, further cementing Malaita’s growing engagement with China.
Other officials from the provincial government who visited China included Martin Jasper from the Fisheries Office, Eddie Omokirio from the Sports Office, Freda Kofana from the Women’s Desk Office, and Martha Rurai from the Malaita Province Council of Women
According to a recent media report indicated that a larger delegation of Malaita MPAs is scheduled to travel to China this week as part of the continuing program.
Malaita’s Minister for Youth and Women John Sugono confirmed he is among those listed for the second group of officials set to visit China next month.
In a recent media statement, Premier Asilaua revealed that the upcoming delegations will also visit Jiangsu Province, as part of efforts to strengthen the newly established sister relationship between Malaita and Jiangsu.
“We will continue to build relations with Jiangsu Province under this sister relationship,” he said.
“This year, I will lead a delegation to Jiangsu to strengthen our negotiations in areas we want to develop under this partnership.”
The Premier added that since the relationship was established, the two provinces have continued to engage in dialogue, focusing on areas of mutual benefit and cooperation.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
