I still have a vivid memory of the day that I attended the ground breaking ceremony of the China-Aid Comprehensive Medical Center Building about thirteen month ago. It was DEC. 15, 2023, 4 days after my arrival as the second Chinese Ambassador to SI. And now, I am thrilled to join you in this official handover ceremony of the facility. Look at it. Look at this magnificent building, all I can say is WOW. And, in a few days’ time, we will welcome the Chinese New Year, the most significant traditional festival in China and some parts of Asia. So today’s ceremony brings double happiness.
On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend my congratulations to this latest accomplishment of friendly cooperation between our two countries. At the height of construction, the contractor employed close to 200 local workers. And I would like to thank the facilitation of SIG, Ministry of Health and NRH. Without the help from our SI friends, this project would not be finished 3 months ahead of schedule. This is truly a joint achievement of our two countries. At the same time I would like to express my best wishes for the SIG, friends from all walks of life, employees of Chinese enterprises, and Chinese compatriots working and living in SI, a peaceful, joyful, and prosperous Chinese New Year !
The National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Center is an important manifestation of the pragmatic cooperation between China and SI. With a total area of over 3,000 square meters, this Medical Center integrates outpatient services, diagnostic examination, surgical emergency care, and inpatient wards. It is equipped with Intensive Care Units and remote conferencing facilities. The center is also furnished with advanced medical equipment and instruments, including a large-scale digital subtraction angiography machine which is the only one in SI. These resources will enhance the medical capabilities, allowing patients who previously had to travel to other countries for treatment, to receive medical services locally. The establishment of the center will not only provide high-quality medical services to the local population and improve service conditions, but also serve as a base for medical education and training, thereby contributing to the long-term advancement of SI’s medical industry. The center will also provide more job opportunities for the local people. Handing over this center at the beginning of the Chinese New Year represents a gift and the best wishes from Chinese people to SI people.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
The China-Aid Comprehensive Medical Center stands as another symbol and new milestone of the high-level mutual trust and high-quality cooperation between our two countries. Over the past years, the relationship between our two countries has continued to grow robustly, our comprehensive strategic partnership has been constantly enriched, and fruitful achievements have been made across various fields.
We have deepened our mutual trust and ushered in a new chapter in our bilateral relations. Last July, Prime Minister Manele made a successful visit to China. Our two sides agreed to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development and build a China-SI community with a shared future in the new era. China-SI relations have taken the lead in China’s relations with Pacific Island countries and have become a model for mutual support and common development among countries of different sizes.
We have greatly advanced pragmatic cooperation and forged ahead a brand-new pattern of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. The B&R Initiative has been effectively integrated with SI’s development strategy. The Rural Sustainable Development Programs have been spread out in rural areas. The Auki Road Project is advancing steadily. Close to 30 communication towers have been commissioned under the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Program, enhancing the connectivity of many rural areas. Livelihood materials have been donated to more than 30 grassroots communities. China remains SI’s largest trading partner and export destination. China has implemented zero tariffs on all SI products, therefore the Chinese market are more accessible to SI, bringing more tangible benefits to local population.
We have strengthened people-to-people exchanges and consolidated popular support for our friendship. The China-SI Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement has taken effect, making two-way travel between our two countries more convenient. More Provinces of our two countries have set up sister relations or reached cooperation agreements. In 2024, China Police Liaison Team helped train close to 1000 RSIPF officers and engaged in more than 40 community out-reaching programs. China Medical Team helped treat over 11,000 patients and donated medicines and medical equipment worth more than 600,000 SBD. Chinese teacher offered Chinese language classes at SINU. In 2024, China provided nearly 40 scholarship opportunities for SI students and helped more than 300 talents from various fields to receive vocational training in China.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
In 2024, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, China has injected strong momentum into promoting peace and development. In 2024, China’s economy successfully realized the growth target with its economic output breaking the RMB 130 trillion mark for the first time and economic growth equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country. This speaks to the resilience and potential of China’s economy and the confidence that China’s economy has brought to the world. The next China is still China. China will stay committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, maintain the continued upward trajectory of the Chinese economy, and bring more “positive surprises” to the global economy. And China shares development opportunities with the world. So far, 155 countries have joined the family of B&R cooperation, carrying out thousands of pragmatic cooperation projects and bringing more benefits to the world. 82 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Security Initiative has been supported by 119 countries and international organizations. The 78th session of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the China-proposed resolution to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. China stands for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, advocating and practicing true multi-lateralism, and rallying the solidarity of the Global South. China’s policies and proposals are increasingly welcomed and supported by the international community.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and also the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Both China and SI are victims of World War II. We share the common memory of national humiliation and suffering, as well as the common genes of loving peace and opposing war. Standing at a new historic juncture, China is ready to work together with SI to safeguard the hard-won achievements of World War II and the international order, injecting new positive energy into world peace, justice and the common progress of humanity.
China is ready to stand with SI in upholding fairness and justice, to be the defenders of the international order. We shall uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, and safeguard the basic norms and governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China highly appreciates SIG’s commitment on the one-China principle which has been inscribed in the UNGA Resolution 2758 in 1971. There are neither two Chinas nor one china, one Taiwan. On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity. The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations. It is also the political foundation of the relationship between China and SI. We shall firmly support each others’ core interests and major concerns, and always stand on the right side of history and international justice.
China is ready to stand with SI in advancing win-win cooperation, to be the promoters of development and prosperity. We shall accelerate the alignment of the B&R Initiative and SI’s national development strategy. China will continue to provide aid and support the implementation of signature projects as well as small yet smart projects in SI. We shall strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education, health, culture, sports, youth and sub-national cooperation. China Police Liaison Team, China Medical Team and Chinese language teacher in SI will continue to focus on their missions, leverage their expertise, and bring more tangible benefits to local people.
China is ready to stand with SI to be the promoters of human progress. While we are living in a world full of changes and uncertainties, China firmly promotes cooperation through opening-up and promotes development through cooperation. China will share the opportunities and benefits of our high quality development. China will share our experiences in governance with SI, to promote mutual understanding, and to forge closer ties between our two peoples. We shall join hands in addressing global challenges such as global governance and climate change, and build a shared future together.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Now, I would also like to take this opportunity to say a few words in Chinese to the Chinese enterprises and members of Chinese communities.
我也借此机会,向在场的中资企业、华人华侨代表致以真挚的新春祝福。你们在所扎根、艰苦创业、奋勇拼搏,在各自领域建功立业,是中所友好的见证者、发展事业的贡献者、中华文化的传播者。过去的一年,你们辛苦了。新的一年,期待你们昂扬向上,合法合规经营,为中所友好事业和祖国统一大业贡献力量。中国驻所使馆将始终践行“外交为民”的初心使命,继续关心、支持、服务好在所机构及同胞,做大家的坚强后盾。
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, as we gather here, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes:
May the new medical center operate smoothly and bring hope and healing to all,
May the friendship and cooperation between China and SI continue to flourish and strengthen,
May everyone enjoy good health and abundant fortune in the coming Chinese year of snake.
Thank you tomas!