The People’s Republic of China, in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), officially handed over eight Sawmill Machines worth $1.5 million to the Central Makira Constituency (CMC) on 6 February 2026.
This generous support was made possible through the PRC-funded Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) and implemented by MRD.
The project includes eight Lucas saw-milling machine sets, including their accessories, and one 070 chainsaw. They will be distributed to community groups, associations, and organized family groups.
Aimed at boosting the constituency’s housing program and enhancing the socio-economic livelihoods of communities, the initiative reflects the PRC’s ongoing commitment to sustainable community development and empowerment through strategic projects like RSDP that drive community improvements and self-sufficiency across the Solomon Islands.
The support was received by the Member of Parliament for Central Makira Constituency, Honourable Nestor Ghiro, from the Chinese Embassy representative in Solomon Islands, Counsellor Li Qinghua.
“I am really grateful for this generous support,” Honourable Nestor Ghiro said, expressing profound gratitude on behalf of the people of CMC to PRC.
This assistance is an additional boost to the constituency’s 19 Lucas Sawmill machines previously purchased as part of its ongoing commitment to support the constituency housing program. Through the downstream processing, improvements and successes have already been shown among communities and households with improvement of standards of living through better permanent houses and as a means of income source through sell of sawn timber.
Honourable Ghiro stated that the provision of the machines to his rural community operators goes in line with his Constituency’s development plan.
“Thank you so much for this support. It is part of our constituency development plan, which envisions community development and supports families to improve their livelihoods. With these machines, our people will be empowered to build and own decent homes, which will subsequently lead to improved living standards in our constituency,” Hon. Ghiro said.
He further stated that, as their Member of Parliament, he will ensure the constituency office continues to support initiatives that will bring prosperity and self-sufficiency for everyone in the constituency.
He highlighted the importance of partnership, noting that community efforts, combined with PRC and Solomon Islands Government support, are key to achieving tangible development outcomes.
Honourable Ghiro also expressed his deep gratitude to the PRC government and its people for their generous support through RSDP.
Meanwhile, Counsellor Li Qinghua of the Chinese Embassy, in her remarks, congratulated the constituency on receiving the support and emphasized China’s ongoing commitment to supporting Solomon Islands’ pursuit in socio-economic resilience through various development supports in Solomon Islands.
Ms. Li reiterated that the handover is another testament to the practical cooperation between the PRC and Solomon Islands under RSDP, further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
Counsellor Li stated that, as a partnership between the PRC and the people of the Solomon Islands, the main purpose of RSDP is to improve social and economic development in the country.
She also emphasized China’s commitment to offering capacity-building and training opportunities for the Solomon Islands, focusing on knowledge transfer to support the country’s development and prosperity.
Ms. Li also highlighted China’s remarkable accomplishment in lifting 800 million people out of poverty and expressed wishes to share China’s experience in poverty alleviation with the Solomon Islands, and working together with the government, people, and communities to improve livelihoods and to turn poverty alleviation into reality.
“I firmly believe that with support from the government and the people of the Solomon Islands, we can turn poverty alleviation into reality.”
She further emphasized that RSDP is not just a development project but a partnership rooted in empowerment, aiming to enable rural communities to become self-reliant.
She also highlighted the importance of partnership and working together to achieve greater outcomes.
“Projects under RSDP are proposal-based and will be implemented and monitored strictly in partnership with MRD-PRC agreement guidelines. This is to maximize benefits for the people of each constituency. It is our shared responsibility to ensure projects are implemented properly to deliver tangible and actionable results for rural communities,” she concluded.
The RSDP is a partnership program between the PRC and the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Rural Development. Since 2023, China has actively supported RSDP, which is proposal-based and implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development in partnership with the Chinese Embassy.
The program aligns with China’s broader Global Development Initiative, including the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016–2035.
The RSDP primarily targets rural and semi-urban communities, aiming to improve social and economic infrastructure, promote income-generating activities, and address issues such as food security and climate resilience.
– MRD
