On February 18th, 2022, another batch of anti-COVID medical supplies as well as police assistance donated by the government of the People’s Republic of China arrived in Honiara by a Chinese Airforce cargo aircraft. H.E. Ambassador Li Ming, alongside with Hon. Health Minister Dr. Culwick Togamana and Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso welcomed the arrival of the cargo flight at Henderson Airport.

A brief ceremony was also held at the airport. During his speech, Ambassador Li Ming said that the government and people of Solomon Islands are now facing the dual challenges by pandemic and aftermath of riot. China, in the spirit of building a community with a shared future, has provided large amount of anti-COVID medical and police support to Solomon Islands. The cargo unloaded more than 300,000 Rapid Antigen Testing kits, oxygen compressors, blood gas analyzers and protective garments etc., which will strengthen Solomon Islands’ capability in pandemic prevention and better medical treatment to SI people.

China’s assistance to Solomon Islands is comprehensive. The RATs and oxygen compressors in the cargo were donated by the central government of China and the PPEs by Guangdong province. China is always a doer, not a talker in developing China-Solomon Islands relations. China’s assistance is open, inclusive, and serve the common interests of the Pacific region. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is now going in full swing. The athletes from around the world are competing in the sports spirit of “Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together”, and forging the brilliant vision of “together for a shared future”. China stands ready to work with Solomon Islands for a shared future of bilateral relations.

The Hon. Dr. Culwick Togamana, Minister for Health and Medical Services, expressed his sincere gratitude for the timely donations from China. He said Solomon Islands is now faced with the daunting challenge of ensuring COVID-19 public health measures are continuously being observed by families, communities, including at work places and public spaces. He said, as I mentioned in my daily COVID-19 situation address last night, we have not been able to stay ahead of the rate at which the virus spreads. With the support from China, the Ministry is now resourced and has the capability to conduct routine tests for COVID virus in our communities. The government of Solomon Islands express their gratitude for the ongoing support and compassion provided and shown by the government of the People’s Republic of China.

Deputy Commissioner Vaevaso also thanked China for providing the new batch of police anti-riot gears and anti-COVID assistance to the RSIPF. He emphasized that the Solomon Islands police would like to strengthen the policing cooperation with China to further cement cooperation between the two countries.