WESTERN Provincial Government (WPG) over the weekend celebrated the country’s recent switch to the Republic Of China (PRC) with the Chinese community in Gizo, Western province.
Premier David Gina along with the Chinese community jointly hosted the event.
A number of local business houses and the Chinese community members in Gizo turned to be part of the celebration dinner held at PT 109 in Gizo on Saturday night.
Speaking at the opening of the program Premier Gina said the event was to mark the celebration of the new friendship and the recognition of the diplomatic switch by Solomon Islands to PRC (People’s Republic of China) from Taiwan.
“The purpose of this dinner function is to celebrate and recognize the fact that Solomon Islands Government and PRC have entered into bilateral partnership a week ago,” he said.
Premier Gina said Western province has also extended its full support for the new arrangement to switch ties which serves as a national interest.
He acknowledged the mutual friendship and cooperation between the Western provincial government and its people with the Chinese community in Gizo.
He appealed to local business houses and Chinese community to work closely with the WPG and its people to push the province way forward.
The Gizo Chinese community representative Tai Chan extended his warmly thanks to Premier Gina and the people Western province in providing an opportunity for the Chinese community to operate in the province as well as to mark this historic and new relationship between Western province and PRC.
Local business representative Aaron Mockson also extended his gratitude to the Premier, the WPG Executive and the Chinese community in Gizo for staging the celebration to mark a new friendship.
“Western provincial government fully supports the switch which has been passed by the national government.
“Our government already made the switch and so what else can we say but to accept the decision that has been made.
“The outcome of the switch is the main objective we are looking forward in the province by working together with PRC through our new relationship and friendship that has now began,’’ he concluded.
A good number of guests, including the Provincial Police Commander also attended the celebration dinner which featured the raising of the national flag, WP’s flag and PRC.
By ULUTAH GINA
In GIZO
