Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele on Tuesday received Mr. Xu, Deputy Commissioner of the National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China, and his delegation.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two countries and explored ways to deepen cooperation in immigration, law enforcement, and security.
Prime Minister Manele expressed sincere gratitude for China’s continued support since the establishment of diplomatic relations, noting assistance across sectors including education, health, law and order, and sports.
He emphasized the Solomon Islands government’s commitment to advancing these partnerships through close coordination with both countries’ embassies.
Highlighting the importance of capacity building, the Prime Minister welcomed upcoming training opportunities for Solomon Islands immigration officers in China scheduled for October.
He also encouraged Commerce and Immigration Minister Hon. Trevor Manemahaga to attend the planned Immigration Cooperation Forum hosted by China in September.
Addressing shared regional concerns, Prime Minister Manele emphasized the need to enhance cooperation to tackle transnational crime and illicit drug trafficking, which pose increasing risks to the Solomon Islands.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring these efforts align with the Solomon Islands National Security Strategy and strengthen immigration and border security to safeguard the country.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Solomon Islands government’s commitment to working closely with the Chinese Embassy and relevant stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of these initiatives.
The visiting delegation, representing the China International Development Cooperation Agency and the National Immigration Administration, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation with Solomon Islands.
– OPMC
